Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Jabari Taylor (0) celebrates after forcing a rushed throw in the second half of the NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. Cincinnati Bearcats defeated Miami Redhawks 49-14. Cincinnati Bearcats Miami Redhawks — © Albert Cesare / The Enquirer via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Keys to the Game, Players to Watch in Battle for the Victory Bell

Get a quick primer on all of the big topics heading into Saturday's rivalry action.

Author:
Alex Frank
Updated:
Sep 16, 2022 12:21 PM EDT

MACON — The Cincinnati Bearcats are looking for a 16th straight win in the Battle for the Victory Bell. A victory affords them the series lead in the rivalry for the first time since 1915.

Here are three keys to the game:

1. Stop the Run

Miami's offensive identity is driven by its running game. And that's especially true considering they're playing with backup quarterback Aveon Smith. If the Bearcats' rush defense can make Miami one-dimensional, that can go a long way toward deciding this game.

2. Win the Line of Scrimmage

I'm mainly interested in watching the Bearcats' defensive line against Miami's offensive line. The Bearcats just lost Malik Vann to a serious pectoral injury. Now, a new-look defensive line is going up against an experienced RedHawks offensive line that returns four stalwarts and 82 combined starts. Miami's defensive line was solid through the first two games with six sacks.

3. Fast Start

It sounds cliché, but it cannot be overstated. This rivalry has had 54 games decided by seven points or less. The Bearcats can't fall behind 10-0 as they did in 2019. That game was at Nippert Stadium. This game is on a neutral field.

Players to Watch:

Bearcats Offense: Cincinnati's running backs. Miami has allowed just 90 combined rushing yards in its first two games. But this is Cincinnati's running game they're facing. If they get the ground game going, look out.

Miami Defense: Linebacker Ryan McWood is Miami's defensive leader with 18 tackles. The Bearcats need to take him out of the game to be able to do what they want offensively.

Miami Offense: Wide receiver Mac Hippenhammer can make any catch on balls thrown to him. He will be a test for Bearcats cornerbacks Arquon Bush and Jaquan Shepard.

Bearcats Defense: Ivan Pace Jr. has been as advertised through the first two games. And he'll have his hair on fire playing against his former school. His ability to sniff out the run is a big factor in how Saturday plays out.

Matchup Decider: This game will be decided in the trenches between Miami's experienced offensive line against a new-look Bearcats defensive line, missing one of their pillars. And on the outside, can the Bearcats' cornerbacks once again shut down the opposing team's receiving corps?

Game Pick: Bearcats 31 Miami 14

It's a rivalry game that tightens at times, but a more-talented Bearcats team prevails in the end.

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