A couple of long-time rivals collide at Yager Stadium on Wednesday night, as the Cincinnati Bearcats try to claw their way past the Miami-Ohio RedHawks in non-conference play. The Bearcats and RedHawks have a long history between them and are meeting for the 110th time. The 110 meetings marks the oldest Division I-A college football rivalry west of the Allegheny Mountains. Miami owns a 58-44-7 advantage in the series, including wins in three of the last four meetings. However, it was the Bearcats who came out on top in last year's clash by a final of 45-26. Speaking of Cincinnati, it improved to 2-1 on the young season with a less-than-convincing 7-3 victory over Division I-AA foe Western Carolina on September 17th. It was the second home victory of the year for the Bearcats, who were defeated by Penn State (42-24) in their lone road tilt thus far. As for Miami, it started the year with a pair of losses to nationally-ranked Ohio State (34-14) and Central Michigan (38-37), before coming out on top against Kent State (27-10) on September 17th. The win over the Golden Flashes snapped a four-game losing streak dating back to last year and also marked the first victory for the RedHawks under first-year head coach Shane Montgomery.
It was certainly a lackluster effort put forth by the Bearcat offense last time out, as they scored just one touchdown in a narrow victory over Western Carolina. The offense gained just 88 yards through the air, while posting a solid 185 yards on the ground. Cincinnati, however, turned the ball over twice and converted just 3-of-13 third downs. Bradley Glatthaar paced the Bearcats with 107 rushing yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. It was clearly his best effort of the season, as he now leads the team with 185 yards and three scores. While the ground game may have shown signs of life, the team still has some issues under center with Dustin Grutza calling the shots. Last game, Grutza put forth a subpar effort and finished with just 88 yards and an interception on 10-of-24 pass attempts. For the year, Grutza has completed 55.7 percent of his tosses for 550 yards with three touchdowns against the same number of picks. Some of his trouble could be linked to an inferior collection of pass catchers, only of which has surpassed 100 yards receiving this season. Overall, the Bearcats are averaging 367.3 total ypg, but that has led to just 19.7 ppg.
After two shaky outings, the UC defense finally stepped up and held Western Carolina to just three points and only 284 total yards. The unit also picked off three passes, while also recording three sacks. It was clearly the best effort of the year by the Bearcat defense, which allowed 50 points and over 700 total yards in the first two games combined. The biggest concern for the unit so far has been its stance against the pass, as it is allowing more than 200 ypg through the air. The unit has made up for some of those yards with four interceptions, including two from Haruki Nakamura. The sophomore free safety also ranks second on the team in total tackles (22), just two behind team leader Corey Smith.
The RedHawks, as expected, have been nothing short of solid on the offensive side of the ball this year and are averaging 416.3 total ypg, including 299.3 ypg through the air. Miami is converting 46 percent of its third-down tries, which has helped the team average 25 first downs per game. In the 27-10 victory over Kent State last time out, the RedHawks were once again explosive, racking up 176 yards on the ground and 251 yards through the air. The team converted 10-of-18 third-down chances in the win, while winning the time of possession battle by more than 10 minutes. Brandon Murphy led the Miami charge with 172 rushing yards and a touchdown on 31 carries. It was another solid effort by Murphy, who leads the club with 318 yards and two touchdowns on the year. Signal caller Josh Betts continues to shine as he threw for 251 yards and two touchdowns against Kent State. Betts is certainly the key to the offense's success and has completed 57.5 percent of his tosses for 896 yards and six scores against two interceptions. Martin Nance and Ryne Robinson have formed a great tandem and have provided open targets for Betts on a consistent basis. Nance leads the team with 23 receptions, 313 yards and three scores, while Robinson follows closely with 21 catches, 308 yards and two touchdowns. The two combined for 12 receptions, 163 yards and two scores in the team's last game versus Kent State.
Defensively, the RedHawks have been less than stellar thus far and are allowing 27.3 ppg and 440.0 total ypg. The unit has had its share of problems against the pass, permitting 305.3 ypg with five touchdowns. Miami has made amends with some of the yardage allowed by forcing six turnovers (four interceptions). In the squad's last game, the defense put forth its best effort of the season by holding Kent State to just 10 points behind 369 total yards. The unit gave up just 31 rushing yards, while forcing a pair of turnovers and logging two sacks. John Busing led the way with 11 stops, while Ryan Redd added seven of his own. Busing currently heads the RedHawks with 35 tackles, which is 13 more than his closest teammate.
MAC vs Big East, but a local rivalry, as Cincy-Miami is a pretty good series (schools around 40 miles apart). Dogs are 8-3 vs spread in series, with home side winning four of last five, as UC lost last two visits here, 21-14/42-37. Bearcats outrushed Maimi 341-37 last year in 45-26 home win, gaining 599 yards for game.
Cincinnati has just three starters back on both sides of ball, so they're very young team- they beat I-AA team 7-3 in their last game, so offense has issues, and they won opener 28-26 over MAC doormat Eastern Michigan, not a good sign.
Miami split pair of MAC games after losing 34-14 at Ohio State; they have new coach this year, but experienced players. hard to trust home team, though, after they lost 38-37 in home opener to 22-point dog Central Michigan.
MAC home teams are 4-0 vs spread in non-league games, while Big East road dogs are 4-0-1 vs number. Not really lot to choose from, though, in a rivalry game.
TAKING A SHOT WITH THE OVER.....
Enjoy the game :toast:
BET ID=123681036
Straight Wager 09/28/05 16:43 ET
200.00/181.82 Result: Pending
Cincinnati
MiamiOhio 09/28/05 (19:05 ET)
Over 56.5
It was certainly a lackluster effort put forth by the Bearcat offense last time out, as they scored just one touchdown in a narrow victory over Western Carolina. The offense gained just 88 yards through the air, while posting a solid 185 yards on the ground. Cincinnati, however, turned the ball over twice and converted just 3-of-13 third downs. Bradley Glatthaar paced the Bearcats with 107 rushing yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. It was clearly his best effort of the season, as he now leads the team with 185 yards and three scores. While the ground game may have shown signs of life, the team still has some issues under center with Dustin Grutza calling the shots. Last game, Grutza put forth a subpar effort and finished with just 88 yards and an interception on 10-of-24 pass attempts. For the year, Grutza has completed 55.7 percent of his tosses for 550 yards with three touchdowns against the same number of picks. Some of his trouble could be linked to an inferior collection of pass catchers, only of which has surpassed 100 yards receiving this season. Overall, the Bearcats are averaging 367.3 total ypg, but that has led to just 19.7 ppg.
After two shaky outings, the UC defense finally stepped up and held Western Carolina to just three points and only 284 total yards. The unit also picked off three passes, while also recording three sacks. It was clearly the best effort of the year by the Bearcat defense, which allowed 50 points and over 700 total yards in the first two games combined. The biggest concern for the unit so far has been its stance against the pass, as it is allowing more than 200 ypg through the air. The unit has made up for some of those yards with four interceptions, including two from Haruki Nakamura. The sophomore free safety also ranks second on the team in total tackles (22), just two behind team leader Corey Smith.
The RedHawks, as expected, have been nothing short of solid on the offensive side of the ball this year and are averaging 416.3 total ypg, including 299.3 ypg through the air. Miami is converting 46 percent of its third-down tries, which has helped the team average 25 first downs per game. In the 27-10 victory over Kent State last time out, the RedHawks were once again explosive, racking up 176 yards on the ground and 251 yards through the air. The team converted 10-of-18 third-down chances in the win, while winning the time of possession battle by more than 10 minutes. Brandon Murphy led the Miami charge with 172 rushing yards and a touchdown on 31 carries. It was another solid effort by Murphy, who leads the club with 318 yards and two touchdowns on the year. Signal caller Josh Betts continues to shine as he threw for 251 yards and two touchdowns against Kent State. Betts is certainly the key to the offense's success and has completed 57.5 percent of his tosses for 896 yards and six scores against two interceptions. Martin Nance and Ryne Robinson have formed a great tandem and have provided open targets for Betts on a consistent basis. Nance leads the team with 23 receptions, 313 yards and three scores, while Robinson follows closely with 21 catches, 308 yards and two touchdowns. The two combined for 12 receptions, 163 yards and two scores in the team's last game versus Kent State.
Defensively, the RedHawks have been less than stellar thus far and are allowing 27.3 ppg and 440.0 total ypg. The unit has had its share of problems against the pass, permitting 305.3 ypg with five touchdowns. Miami has made amends with some of the yardage allowed by forcing six turnovers (four interceptions). In the squad's last game, the defense put forth its best effort of the season by holding Kent State to just 10 points behind 369 total yards. The unit gave up just 31 rushing yards, while forcing a pair of turnovers and logging two sacks. John Busing led the way with 11 stops, while Ryan Redd added seven of his own. Busing currently heads the RedHawks with 35 tackles, which is 13 more than his closest teammate.
MAC vs Big East, but a local rivalry, as Cincy-Miami is a pretty good series (schools around 40 miles apart). Dogs are 8-3 vs spread in series, with home side winning four of last five, as UC lost last two visits here, 21-14/42-37. Bearcats outrushed Maimi 341-37 last year in 45-26 home win, gaining 599 yards for game.
Cincinnati has just three starters back on both sides of ball, so they're very young team- they beat I-AA team 7-3 in their last game, so offense has issues, and they won opener 28-26 over MAC doormat Eastern Michigan, not a good sign.
Miami split pair of MAC games after losing 34-14 at Ohio State; they have new coach this year, but experienced players. hard to trust home team, though, after they lost 38-37 in home opener to 22-point dog Central Michigan.
MAC home teams are 4-0 vs spread in non-league games, while Big East road dogs are 4-0-1 vs number. Not really lot to choose from, though, in a rivalry game.
TAKING A SHOT WITH THE OVER.....
Enjoy the game :toast:
BET ID=123681036
Straight Wager 09/28/05 16:43 ET
200.00/181.82 Result: Pending
Cincinnati
MiamiOhio 09/28/05 (19:05 ET)
Over 56.5
Glad to see ya get it though I was on under.
