For the fifth consecutive season, Miami (Ohio) will face two Power Four programs in its non-conference slate. This year, the RedHawks visit Pittsburgh and a familiar foe in Cincinnati.
As of late May, neither the non-conference or MAC slate seem too intimidating. College football betting odds have the RedHawks’ win total at Over/Under 7.5 wins, with the Over at +130 and the Under at -165.
Here are game-by-game predictions for Miami’s 2026 campaign:
Sept. 5 at Pittsburgh
Prediction: Loss
This will be a great early season test for Miami’s defense against an offense that scored 33.7 points per game last season and is returning its starting QB. I think the RedHawks can be competitive but start the campaign 0-1.
Sept. 12 vs. Holy Cross
Prediction: Win
Unlike Pitt, the Crusaders did not have a strong offense last season. Even if this year is any different, I don’t expect Miami to struggle much in its home opener.
Sept. 19 at Cincinnati
Prediction: Loss
Aside from 2020, last year was the first year the RedHawks and Bearcats didn’t square off for the Victory Bell since 1944. And since 2006, Miami has only won one of those meetings. I think this is a close one but Cincy’s ability to control the trenches will lift it to a win.
Sept. 26 vs. UConn
Prediction: Loss
“I thought we left the MAC?” I’m sure that’s what Huskies head coach Jason Candle and his 19 transfers from Toledo will be thinking when they’re back playing in Yager Stadium. Toledo and Miami only met four times during Candle’s 10-year tenure leading the Rockets, but he went 3-1 in those contests.
Oct. 3 vs. Bowling Green
Prediction: Win
Just as it has the past two years, I expect Miami to start the season behind the eight-ball before turning things around come conference play.
Oct. 10 at UMass
Prediction: Win
I think UMass will have a decent offense this season behind electric quarterback Pop Wilson III. However, I expect the RedHawks will be able to slow him down.
Oct. 17 vs. Akron
Prediction: Win
The Zips’ struggles are well known. Although I do think they exceed expectations this year, their early conference slate will be challenging. This contest is a reason why.
Oct. 24 at Central Michigan
Prediction: Loss
Owning the line of scrimmage is how CMU wants to win under Matt Drinkall, and it returns a lot of production from that area and could pose some problems for the RedHawks. This game falls in the middle of a rough four-game stretch for the Chippewas, but I think they win at least two of them.
Nov. 3 vs. Buffalo
Prediction: Win
The first of four consecutive Tuesday night games starts here when hosting the Bulls. While I’m sure they’ll have it ironed out by this point in the season, the Bulls have a lot of question marks offensively. We’ll see how they end up faring against one of the MAC’s best defenses.
Nov. 10 vs. Ohio
Prediction: Loss
Former RedHawks co-defensive coordinator John Hauser will have his first taste of the Battle of the Bricks as a head coach. Being part of this rivalry for more than a decade and coaching Ohio’s defense over the past four years, he’ll have a firm understanding of what it takes to knock off the RedHawks.
Nov. 17 at Kent State
Prediction: Win
I think Miami takes out its frustrations from the Ohio loss against the Golden Flashes.
Nov. 24 at Western Michigan
Prediction: Win
This could be a preview of the MAC title game, which will take place the following week. WMU should have a stout defense and an electric running back in Jalen Buckley. I anticipate he’ll be tough to stop on most weeks, but I think the RedHawks have a defense that can at least somewhat contain him.
Miami (Ohio) Football Season Prediction
I predict Miami will go Under 7.5 wins.
I think the non-conference slate will have the RedHawks playing catch up but they will bounce back when it matters most and win some key conference games, potentially setting themselves up for another trip to the MAC title game.
