The Miami RedHawks are masters at overcoming adversity. Right after losing their longtime leader and starting quarterback Brett Gabbert to a season-ending injury in a close loss to Toledo, the team could have easily folded. Instead, they responded with their strongest performance of the year, taking out Ohio 30-16 to gain control of the MAC East. After facing the MAC’s top teams in consecutive weeks, all that separates Miami from its first MAC Championship Game appearance since 2019 is 2-7 Akron, 3-6 Buffalo, and 2-7 Ball State.
The Akron Zips are the first of the challengers attempting to derail the RedHawks’ title hopes.