When Miami runs
Sophomore Thomas Merriweather runs behind an offensive line that averages 309 pounds, but the RedHawks have not been especially effective moving the ball on the ground. Merriweather gets most of the carries, with 57 attempts in three games for an average of 3.7 yards per carry. UC's ability to stop the run is still a question mark. UC was gouged for 197 yards by Oklahoma after holding Eastern Kentucky to 48 in the season opener.
When Miami passes
The RedHawks have plenty of depth at wide receiver, led by sophomore Jamal Rogers, who has 15 catches for 134 yards. Rogers caught a career-high 10 passes for 81 yards vs. Michigan. Dustin Woods has caught 10 passes for 162 yards. Junior quarterback Daniel Raudabaugh ranks eighth on Miami's career passing list with 3,461 yards. He has completed 55.8 percent of his passes this season for 740 yards and two touchdowns but has been picked off four times. UC's heralded secondary, virtually helpless two weeks ago vs. Oklahoma and quarterback Sam Bradford, will attempt to return to the form that enabled the Bearcats to lead the nation in interceptions a year ago.
When UC runs
The Bearcats have two talented freshman running backs in Isaiah Pead and Darrin Williams, but neither has seen the field yet as coach Brian Kelly continues to try to find a rhythm for co-starters Jacob Ramsey and John Goebel. So far, Goebel has been more effective, averaging 5.2 yards on 17 carries. In two games, UC is averaging 148 yards per game on the ground but managed only 87 vs. Oklahoma. With a new starting quarterback in Tony Pike this week, it will be important for the Bearcats to establish consistency on the ground. They'll have to contend with a strong trio of Miami linebackers - Caleb Bostic, Joey Hudson and Clayton Mullins, all of whom are on the watch list for the Butkus Award that goes to the nation's top linebacker.
When UC passes
Pike is an unknown commodity as he makes his first start. The 6-foot-6 junior has thrown only 38 career passes but has a strong arm and a thorough grasp of the offense. Junior Mardy Gilyard has emerged as one of the Bearcats' top receivers, with 13 catches in two games. Dominick Goodman remains the most reliable of UC's receivers. Marcus Barnett, who had 62 receptions last year, has only four in two games. Miami ranks 19th nationally in passing defense, allowing 150.3 yards per game.
Special teams
UC continues to come up empty in its search for a consistent placekicker. The Bearcats have not even attempted a field goal in two games and have missed three extra points. Miami punter Jake Richardson leads the nation with 51.64 yards per kick. UC's Kevin Huber, last year's national leader, is seventh at 46.90. Miami kicker Nate Parseghian has made 11 of his last 14 field-goal attempts and is 11 of 12 from 29 yards or less. UC's Gilyard returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown last week and ranks second nationally in that category, averaging 45.33 yards per return. Miami's Eugene Harris returned a punt 44 yards for a touchdown last week vs. Charleston Southern.
Game keys
The UC defense will be highly motivated to prove that it's better than it showed against Oklahoma, but the key to this game could be how well Pike plays at quarterback for the Bearcats. If Pike isn't up to the challenge, the Bearcats could find themselves facing a long night and a long season. Miami's Raudabaugh will look to connect with a talented group of receivers as it seeks to stop UC's winning streak in this series at two. UC, which claimed a quick 23-0 lead last year on the way to a 47-10 victory, will hope to get off to another quick start this time. If the game is close near the end and it comes down to having to kick a field goal to win it, the Bearcats could be in trouble.
Sophomore Thomas Merriweather runs behind an offensive line that averages 309 pounds, but the RedHawks have not been especially effective moving the ball on the ground. Merriweather gets most of the carries, with 57 attempts in three games for an average of 3.7 yards per carry. UC's ability to stop the run is still a question mark. UC was gouged for 197 yards by Oklahoma after holding Eastern Kentucky to 48 in the season opener.
When Miami passes
The RedHawks have plenty of depth at wide receiver, led by sophomore Jamal Rogers, who has 15 catches for 134 yards. Rogers caught a career-high 10 passes for 81 yards vs. Michigan. Dustin Woods has caught 10 passes for 162 yards. Junior quarterback Daniel Raudabaugh ranks eighth on Miami's career passing list with 3,461 yards. He has completed 55.8 percent of his passes this season for 740 yards and two touchdowns but has been picked off four times. UC's heralded secondary, virtually helpless two weeks ago vs. Oklahoma and quarterback Sam Bradford, will attempt to return to the form that enabled the Bearcats to lead the nation in interceptions a year ago.
When UC runs
The Bearcats have two talented freshman running backs in Isaiah Pead and Darrin Williams, but neither has seen the field yet as coach Brian Kelly continues to try to find a rhythm for co-starters Jacob Ramsey and John Goebel. So far, Goebel has been more effective, averaging 5.2 yards on 17 carries. In two games, UC is averaging 148 yards per game on the ground but managed only 87 vs. Oklahoma. With a new starting quarterback in Tony Pike this week, it will be important for the Bearcats to establish consistency on the ground. They'll have to contend with a strong trio of Miami linebackers - Caleb Bostic, Joey Hudson and Clayton Mullins, all of whom are on the watch list for the Butkus Award that goes to the nation's top linebacker.
When UC passes
Pike is an unknown commodity as he makes his first start. The 6-foot-6 junior has thrown only 38 career passes but has a strong arm and a thorough grasp of the offense. Junior Mardy Gilyard has emerged as one of the Bearcats' top receivers, with 13 catches in two games. Dominick Goodman remains the most reliable of UC's receivers. Marcus Barnett, who had 62 receptions last year, has only four in two games. Miami ranks 19th nationally in passing defense, allowing 150.3 yards per game.
Special teams
UC continues to come up empty in its search for a consistent placekicker. The Bearcats have not even attempted a field goal in two games and have missed three extra points. Miami punter Jake Richardson leads the nation with 51.64 yards per kick. UC's Kevin Huber, last year's national leader, is seventh at 46.90. Miami kicker Nate Parseghian has made 11 of his last 14 field-goal attempts and is 11 of 12 from 29 yards or less. UC's Gilyard returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown last week and ranks second nationally in that category, averaging 45.33 yards per return. Miami's Eugene Harris returned a punt 44 yards for a touchdown last week vs. Charleston Southern.
Game keys
The UC defense will be highly motivated to prove that it's better than it showed against Oklahoma, but the key to this game could be how well Pike plays at quarterback for the Bearcats. If Pike isn't up to the challenge, the Bearcats could find themselves facing a long night and a long season. Miami's Raudabaugh will look to connect with a talented group of receivers as it seeks to stop UC's winning streak in this series at two. UC, which claimed a quick 23-0 lead last year on the way to a 47-10 victory, will hope to get off to another quick start this time. If the game is close near the end and it comes down to having to kick a field goal to win it, the Bearcats could be in trouble.
