DaytonDailyNews.com

OXFORD — Saturday football was not the only topic mentioned by Miami athletic director Brad Bates in his letter earlier this year to season-ticket holders.

"Instead of historical matchups without return games to Yager Stadium, every one of the teams on our 2007 schedule will be playing in Oxford as part of contracted agreements of which our program is worthy," Bates said in the letter.

In other words, Miami's opponents should be prepared to agree to home-and-home series.

"One thing that's really helped us move toward that philosophy is the 12th game," Bates said, referring to the extended regular season. "And I really believe our program is competitively worthy of playing home-and-home (series)."

Vanderbilt, Syracuse, and Colorado already have signed on the dotted line.

"How significant is that? We have the (Southeast Conference), the Big East and the Big 12 coming to little ol' Oxford to play a football game," Bates said. "That is a significant milestone in the history of this football program."

Another change Bates wants to instigate: in the future, half of Miami's regular-season games will be played in Oxford.

"Never in the history of Miami University have there been six home football games," Bates said.

"I think that would be great," said Miami season-ticket holder Jack Morrison.

Now, about Miami getting back to competitive football.

Obviously, nobody was happy about the 10 losses, which tied the school record set in 1988.

"Please know," Bates said in his letter, "that nobody is more disappointed in this past year than the students on the team, our coaching staff and 'your' Head Coach and Athletic Director. Those of us who work within the Miami University Athletic Department feel an enormous obligation to people such as you who are passionate about Miami football."

So where does that leave head football coach Shane Montgomery if things don't improve on the field this fall?

"Every coach in America is under the gun every year," Bates said. "Shane is one of those competitive people who puts more pressure on himself than anyone else could possibly put on him.

"And Shane is not afraid to play anyone, anywhere, which is (typical) of our Cradle of Coaches."

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.