DaytonDailyNews.com

OXFORD — After doing some serious soul searching following Miami University's 2-10 football season last year, head coach Shane Montgomery reached a decision.

Stay the course. This thing can work.

"That's human nature," Montgomery said Tuesday. "When you're not successful, you have to take a look inside, not only at what you're doing, but at what the team is doing.

"I looked during the offseason, during spring practice, I looked at the X's and O's, trying to make sure we were doing the right things."

Montgomery and his staff did not make drastic changes after last fall.

That was a gamble, because Miami is not accustomed to losing seasons. But the gamble has paid off.

The RedHawks are preparing for Saturday's regular-season finale at Ohio University knowing they have clinched a share of the Mid-American Conference East Division title and a berth in next weekend's MAC championship game.

A victory would guarantee the RedHawks the outright MAC East championship and a likely bowl berth.

If the RedHawks can take a

7-5 record to Detroit's Ford Field for their Dec. 1 showdown with West Division champion Central Michigan, Miami would remain bowl eligible even with a loss to the Chippewas. But if the RedHawks lose at Ohio and lose to Central Michigan, they would be left out of the bowl picture with a 6-7 record.

"There is a lot riding on this game," Montgomery said.