Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Miami (Ohio) RedHawks Pick & Prediction SEPTEMBER 14th 2024

Preview and Prediction

For the initial time since 2006, Miami (OH) will face off against their rival Cincinnati at home with the Victory Bell in their possession.

The Redhawks (0-1) will strive to maintain their hold on the coveted trophy for consecutive seasons, a feat they haven't achieved since 2003 when they secured their third consecutive win against the Bearcats (1-1).

The series is currently tied, with both teams having 60 wins and seven ties going into Saturday's game in Oxford, Ohio.

The longstanding and illustrious rivalry, which dates back to 1888, may come to an end after the 2026 game as both schools have canceled all future on-campus games, including the 2025 matchup at Cincinnati. The 2026 game is scheduled to take place at Paycor Stadium, home of the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals, and this week's game will be the last one held on Miami's campus.

Last year, the Redhawks staged a comeback to tie the game at 24-24 and eventually won 31-24 in overtime after blocking a 35-yard field goal attempt from Bearcats kicker Carter Brown. This victory ended Cincinnati's 16-game winning streak in the rivalry.

This year, both teams are coming off losses. Miami suffered a 13-6 defeat at the hands of Northwestern on August 31st. Cincinnati, on the other hand, started their season with a 38-20 win against Towson but then blew a 27-6 lead in the third quarter and lost 28-27 to Pitt last Saturday.

"Right after the game, there was a lot of positivity, even after a tough loss like that," said Bearcats center Gavin Gerhardt. "A lot of us have taken pride in not allowing the same attitude that we had last year after the Miami game to happen again.

"This is a huge rivalry game for us. A lot of us, especially the older guys who have played Miami before, are determined to bring that Bell back to Cincinnati. So this is a big game for us. We're not thinking about Houston (next Saturday) at all. Our focus is solely on Miami."

Cincinnati's quarterback Brendan Sorsby, a transfer from Indiana, has thrown five touchdowns and scored two rushing touchdowns in the first two games.

"They have a lot of new players, a lot of new offensive transfers. They put up 658 yards against Towson, and their quarterback is very athletic," said Miami head coach Chuck Martin. "He has a strong arm and can make all the throws. They have various ways to attack you in the running game and also through the air on defense."

PREDICTION

Cincinnati Bearcats

Miami (Ohio) RedHawks

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Miami (Ohio) RedHawks Recap SEP 14TH 2024

Cincinnati earned bragging rights between in-state rivals for at least two years with a 27-16 victory over host Miami (Ohio) in Oxford, Ohio, on Saturday.

A pair of Ohio State transfers led the way for the Bearcats (2-1). Joe Royer's 3-yard touchdown catch gave them a 10-3 lead in the second quarter and Evan Pryor made it 24-10 in the fourth quarter with a 65-yard run.

Pryor carried three times for 76 yards, Corey Kiner had 21 rushes for 126 yards and Brendan Sorsby threw for 186 yards and a touchdown, completing 21 of his 34 pass attempts.

Brett Gabbert's 7-yard pass to Cade McDonald pulled the RedHawks (0-2) to within 24-16 with 7:57 to play after a failed two-point conversion.

Gabbert was 23-of-35 passing for 339 yards, two TDs and an interception.

Cincinnati's Nathan Hawks made a 50-yard field goal with 59 seconds left for the final score.

Cincinnati took a 61-60-7 overall lead in the series which dates to 1888 after Miami ended the Bearcats' 16-game winning streak in "The Battle for the Victory Bell" last season.

However, all future on-campus games, including a previously scheduled 2025 game at Cincinnati, have been canceled. The teams will next play in 2026 at Paycor Stadium, home of the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals, and the athletic directors at both schools said they would like to continue the series every few years at a neutral site.

The Bearcats received the second-half kickoff and went 75 yards in 12 plays to extend their lead to 17-3 on a Kiner 1-yard plunge. Gabbert tossed a 58-yard scoring strike to Reggie Virgil to make it 17-10.

Cincinnati led 10-3 in a frustrating first half for both teams. The Bearcats came within inches of TD with 18 seconds left in the first half but a 21-yard scoring catch by Royer was overturned upon review when the ball was knocked out of his hands as he stretched for the right pylon and it rolled out of bounds for a touchback.

Gabbert had three completions of more than 35 yards but couldn't produce a TD.

The score was 3-3 in the first quarter when Miami punter Alec Bevelhimer fumbled the snap for a 16-yard loss to the RedHawks' 3 and Royer made the TD catch on the next play.