Cincinnati @ Miami (OH) preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 20, 2014 ) Miami (Ohio) 24, Cincinnati 31

The battle for the victory bell resumes Saturday when Cincinnati visits Miami (Ohio). It will be the in-state rivals’ 120th meeting, with Cincinnati riding a nine-game winning streak in the series.

The Bearcats and the RedHawks are rebounding from tough defeats heading into Week 3. Cincinnati quarterback Gunner Kiel threw four costly interceptions in last week’s loss to Temple and will need to make better decisions under center. Miami (Ohio) would like to avoid another embarrassing showing after being shut out and outclassed by Wisconsin, which limited the RedHawks to negative net rushing yards. The Bearcats defeated Miami (Ohio) 31-24 last year after halting a RedHawks drive on the 1-yard line.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: Cincinnati -18.5

ABOUT THE BEARCATS (1-1): Kiel has recorded 660 passing yards in the opening two games of 2015, with a completion percentage of 64.9. Coach Tommy Tuberville will likely use more experienced players on his special teams units after watching his team fail to recover a Temple onside kick and allow a 100-yard kick return touchdown. Cincinnati’s defense limited Temple to 81 passing yards.

ABOUT THE REDHAWKS (1-1): Freshman quarterback Billy Bahl saw some snaps in Week 2’s blowout loss to Wisconsin and threw two interceptions, finishing 7-for-20 for 98 passing yards. Linebacker Paul Moses leads the team with 17 tackles and also has one sack. Redshirt freshman Alonzo Smith has recorded both Miami (Ohio) rushing touchdowns.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Miami (Ohio) holds a 59-53-7 overall lead in the battle for the bell.

2. Saturday’s matchup is Cincinnati’s first road game of the season and kicks off a stretch of three away contests in four weeks.

3. Kiel has completed passes to 12 different receivers.

PREDICTION: Cincinnati 38, Miami (Ohio) 21