Last week did not go the Bearcats way, but that was then and this is now. Week 3 brings another high stakes game to Nippert Stadium, this time the Bearcats host the Miami Redhawks in a battle for the Victory Bell. This is a rivalry game that UC comes into having won this game for 13 consecutive seasons now, good for the longest win streak in the history of the series.
Miami and Cincinnati both enter this weeks contest at 1-1 so coming out of this game with a win is crucial for momentum going forward into what is a brutal schedule for the Bearcats. Miami is a team that has slowly been improving over the last handful of years, they finished with a 6-6 record last year, but were not selected for a bowl game.
What is Cincinnati getting with Miami on Saturday?
Miami’s offense has not been anything to laugh at, albeit only two games into the season, but the RedHawks are averaging 31 points per game while also averaging just under 300 (297) total yards of offense.
That offense is led by true freshman from St. Louis, Brett Gabbert. In his first career start, a road game at Iowa, Gabbert threw for 186 yards and two touchdowns. Redshirt sophomore Jalen Walker comes into the game as the leading receiver for the Redhawks, but it’s a passing attack that gets pretty evenly distributed. Even distribution is something Miami also applies to the running attack. Miami currently has four different running backs who carry the ball, all four have eight to fifteen carries a piece on the season, although sophomore Davian Johnson is the back who leads the team with two rushing touchdowns so far on the season.
Defensively is where this Miami team is lacking, and where the Cincinnati offense will look to get back on track after last weeks disappointing shutout. The RedHawks through two games are giving up just shy of 28 (27.5) points a game, which in itself is not that terrible however, it is a defense giving up almost 375 (373.5) yards of total offense a game. Those numbers have come against Tennessee Tech and Iowa neither of which is known for high powered offense. Another sign of a not so great defense is that cornerback Sterling Weatherford is leading the team in tackles with 12. Anytime a leading tackler comes from a defensive secondary, it usually means the defensive front is not very effective and teams are spending a lot of time getting to the second level of the defense.
How does all of this translate to the field?
Well I expect a hungry Cincinnati team that is not going to be very happy about being shutout last week and will look to take all that frustration and anger out on the RedHawks. I look for Desmond Ridder and Michael Warren II to both get back to form and have their way on Saturday and for that Bearcats defense to put a lot of pressure on Gabbert. Cincinnati has already announced another student sell out Saturday and with the morning announcement of unveiling brand new throwback uniforms for this game it’s safe to say the juice in the building will be sky high at kickoff, look for Cincinnati to feed off that and try to put Miami away early.
