The Miami RedHawks travel to Central Michigan on Saturday, October 24, for a Mid-American Conference road test against the Chippewas, with kickoff set for 1:00 p.m. ET at Kelly/Shorts Stadium in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The game will stream on ESPN+. Miami, the Ohio team in this matchup, enters at 4-3, while Central Michigan comes in at 3-4, with both teams looking to strengthen their conference position.
Miami’s path to 4-3 has included decisive wins, close results and difficult tests. The RedHawks opened with a 59-14 loss at Pitt on September 5, then beat Holy Cross 45-7. They lost 35-31 to Cincinnati in the Victory Bell game, beat UConn 24-21 and lost 24-20 to Bowling Green. That sequence shows a team that has been competitive in tight games while learning from setbacks against strong opposition.
More recently, Miami has found ways to finish close contests. The RedHawks won at UMass in overtime, a road result that required composure late in the game. Miami then beat Akron at home on October 17, adding another win before this trip to Michigan. Carrying that form on the road will matter, as conference away games often turn on handling momentum swings and avoiding mistakes.
On offense, Miami averages 357.9 yards and 26.9 points per game. Those numbers point to a unit capable of moving the ball and producing enough scoring to stay in games deep into the second half. Against Central Michigan, sustaining drives will be important for putting points on the board and for keeping the Chippewas’ run-focused offense on the sideline.
Defensively, the RedHawks present a clear contrast. Miami’s rushing defense allows just 101.9 yards per game, a mark that ranks 24th in the FBS. The pass defense has been more vulnerable, allowing 276.9 yards per game. How Miami manages that balance — staying strong against the run without giving up big plays through the air — will be one of the central questions Saturday.
Central Michigan will test that rushing defense directly. The Chippewas average 292.4 yards per game overall and lean on the run, averaging 184.3 rushing yards per game. They have also been stronger at home this season, going 3-1 at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. That home record adds to the challenge for Miami, which will need a disciplined start to prevent Central Michigan from establishing its ground game early.
For Miami, Saturday offers a chance to add a valuable conference road win and build on the victories over UMass and Akron. For Central Michigan, it is a chance to defend a home field where the Chippewas have won three of four this season. With Miami’s run defense matched against Central Michigan’s rushing attack, the 1:00 p.m. kickoff on ESPN+ shapes up as a physical MAC test for the RedHawks.