CINCINNATI, Ohio – Cincinnati and Miami (Ohio) meet for the 124th time Saturday in the annual Victory Bell battle between schools some 45 minutes apart in southwest Ohio. The teams enter the nonconference matchup with one loss, and each came against a Big Ten opponent.
TV: Noon ET, ESPNU. LINE: Cincinnati -17.5
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Last week, Cincinnati traveled to No. 6 Ohio State hoping to pull off an upset but was unable to generate much offense and was drubbed 42-0. The Bearcats threatened to score three times and those chances were thwarted by a blocked field goal attempt, an interception and a fumble for a touchback. Miami bounced back from an opening loss at No. 18 Iowa with a 48-17 victory at home over FCS Tennessee Tech. The RedHawks will attempt to end a 13-game losing streak against Cincinnati in the oldest nonconference rivalry in college football, but lead the series 59-57-7.
ABOUT MIAMI (1-1)
Brett Gabbert, the younger brother of former Missouri and current NFL quarterback Blaine Gabbert, was the first true freshman to start an opening game in program history two weeks ago at Iowa. He has completed 27 of 44 passes for 338 yards with two touchdowns (both against Iowa) and one interception in two games. Gabbert directs an offense that's missing some key players with injuries and has significantly fewer yards and first downs than Miami's opponents through the first two games and also more penalties.
ABOUT CINCINNATI (1-1)
The Bearcats managed 273 total yards against Ohio State and their top rusher, Michael Warren, was limited to 15 yards on 10 carries while quarterback Desmond Ridder completed 13 of 20 passes for 166 yards with one interception. Not only did Cincinnati's offense struggle against Ohio State, but its defense was unable to carry its weight, giving up 31 first downs and 508 total yards. A return to the form the Bearcats showed in their opening game, when they outgained UCLA by more than 200 yards, and Ridder and Warren played much better than they did against Ohio State could be in the offing against Miami.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Cincinnati redshirt sophomore S Kyriq McDonald, who collapsed on the field last week at Ohio State with a seizure, is cleared for a return to the field, but coach Luke Fickell said McDonald's status is uncertain for Saturday's game against Miami.
2. Miami RB Jaylon Bester, WR Jack Sorenson, tight end Andrew Homer and LB Ryan McWood are questionable to play Saturday against Cincinnati because of injuries.
3. Cincinnati's defense has allowed touchdowns on six of its opponents' nine red-zone opportunities and Miami's offense is 9-for-9 in the red zone, including seven TDs.
PREDICTION: Cincinnati 31, Miami 20