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GAME NOTES: The 10th-ranked Cincinnati Bearcats and Miami-Ohio RedHawks meet in the 114th edition of the "Battle for the Victory Bell" as they clash at Yager Stadium this weekend.

The "Battle for the Victory Bell" began in 1888 and is said to be the longest- lasting rivalry west of the Allegheny Mountains. It is also the oldest non- conference rivalry in the nation (FBS only), with Miami holding a 59-47-7 advantage in the rivalry. Cincinnati however, has taken the last three meetings and that includes a 45-20 triumph in 2008.

The Bearcats should have no trouble extending their winning streak against the RedHawks, as they are now a Top 10 program with high expectations. The season didn't start that way though, as Cincinnati was unranked despite winning the Big East title in 2008. The Bearcats however, made believers of critics rather quickly thanks to a dominating 47-15 victory over Rutgers to open the season. The team continued its successful start last weekend, capturing a 28-20 victory over Fresno State in its closest game of the campaign.

"I'm really happy with the win." said head coach Brian Kelly. "It makes us 25-0 going into the fourth quarter with a lead. It says a little bit about our resolve and the way our kids play."

Cincinnati is now 4-0 for the first time since 2007 and has its sights set on a second straight BCS Bowl appearance.

As for the RedHawks, they are still trying to deliver first-year head coach Michael Haywood his first victory at the helm of the program. The former Notre Dame offensive coordinator hasn't been able to work his magic yet, as Miami has already been shutout twice on the season. The team showed some fight last weekend, but still remained winless at 0-4 following a 29-19 loss at Kent State. Dating back to last season, the RedHawks have now dropped nine games in a row, matching the second-longest skid in the 122-year history of the program.

The Bearcats' offense was on the field for less than 17 minutes last weekend, but that was plenty of time for quarterback Tony Pike to work his magic. The talented, yet still not publicized Pike threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns to lead Cincinnati in a 28-20 victory over Fresno State.

"I wouldn't say frustrating because as an offense, we know our defense will come through," stated Pike about the time of possession. "We are in sync and we pick up where we leave off really well. As an offense, you want to be on the field, but for us, we don't get bothered. We rally around our defense."

Pike is an obviously leader with talent that needs to be noticed and he has completed 70.2 percent of his throws for 1,223 yards, with 11 scores against just two interceptions on the season.

Mardy Gilyard is clearly Pike's go-to-receiver and he is coming off another spectacular performance, pulling in nine balls for a career-high 177 yards and two scores last weekend. A dangerous returner as well, Gilyard is off to a terrific start and he has made 32 catches for 442 yards and six touchdowns on the campaign.

The duo of Pike and Gilyard have helped Cincinnati roll up 43.2 ppg and 476.8 total ypg on the season, numbers that are impressive by any standards. All the yards and points haven't come at the expense of turnovers either, as the Bearcats have committed only two thus far.

Cincinnati's defense certainly didn't do a good job of getting off the field last weekend, spending over 43 minutes, but the unit prevented Fresno State from making big plays and that was the goal all along.

"We decided we can't give up a big run or pass, and we really battled to do that," said coach Kelly. "I knew it was going to come down that we would have to make a couple of big plays later in the game."

Craig Carey had a game-changing play for the Bearcats, as he picked off a pass on fourth-and-one at the five-yard line on the first play of the fourth quarter to preserve a 21-17 lead. The Bearcats' offense scored on the ensuing drive and that changed the game last weekend.

Despite giving up 443 total yards, including 290 rushing, the defense only allowed 20 points, with just three coming after the break. The Bearcats, who are holding opponents to 314.0 total ypg on the season, lost 10 starters on defense from last year and the unit was dinged up last weekend, so it was gritty effort by the unit.

The RedHawks turned the ball over five times and a had a punt blocked, negating their 552 yards of total offense in a 29-19 loss to Kent State this past weekend.

"We have to do a better job of protecting the football," said Haywood, whose club had five turnovers the prior week as well.

Miami has now turned the ball over 16 times on the year and that helps explain why the team is averaging only 11.2 ppg. Quarterback Zac Dysert, making his first start, had three of the team's turnovers, but he did spark the offense with 337 yards through the air and another 107 on the ground. The redshirt freshman got the nod to start over Daniel Raudabaugh and ignited an offense that could certainly build off last weekend's performance, minus the mistakes of course.

Armand Robinson was his main outlet against Kent State with nine receptions for 115 yards, and he leads the team with 23 catches and 264 receiving yards on the season. The RedHawks have five players with double-digit catches, so spreading out the ball is a priority.

Defensively, the RedHawks have struggled due to the large amount of turnovers by the offense and that was the case last weekend. The unit held Kent State to only 250 yards of total offense, but that wasn't enough for the win. Further more, Miami's special teams also struggled and allowed a 92-yard kick off return for a score.

"The defense did a nice job in the third and fourth quarters of keeping us in the game," said Haywood.

Despite holding opponents to 387.2 total ypg on the year, Miami is giving up a whopping 41.8 ppg due to turnovers by the offense and poor special teams play. The defense though, hasn't exactly come up with big plays either and has forced just three turnovers.

Jerrell Wedge and Jordan Gafford are currently tied for the team-lead with 39 stops and they combined for 16 tackles and a sack in last weekend's loss.

The Bearcats are the more talented team here and Pike should be able to carve up the RedHawks for the victory in this one.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Cincinnati 41, Miami-Ohio 20