FACTS & STATS: Site: Nippert Stadium (35,000) -- Cincinnati, Ohio. Television: None. Home Record: Miami-OH 1-1, Cincinnati 1-0. Away Record: Miami-OH 0-1, Cincinnati 0-1. Neutral Record: Miami-OH 0-0, Cincinnati 0-0. Conference Record: Miami-OH 0-0, Cincinnati 0-0. Series Record: Miami-Ohio leads, 59-46-7.

GAME NOTES: The Miami-Ohio RedHawks and Cincinnati Bearcats are set to tangle in the 113th Battle for the Victory Bell. The RedHawks had to come from behind to knock off Charleston Southern last Saturday, 38-27. They scored 21 unanswered points in recording their first victory of the season. But now the RedHawks are back on the road where they play three of their next four. The Bearcats, on the other hand, had a bye week to make adjustments from a 52-26 loss at second-ranked Oklahoma two weeks ago. Coach Brian Kelly, who earned Big East Coach of the Year honors after last years 10-win campaign, is sure to make the necessary adjustments. A win this weekend would be career victory No. 150 for Kelly, who is in his second year at Cincinnati. Miami has a 59-46-7 edge in the all-time series, although Cincinnati has won the last two meetings, and three of the last four overall.

For the RedHawk offense, last Saturday was their first sign of life. Nevermind the fact that it came against an FCS school, Miami had managed just 13 points and six points, respectively, in its first two games. Now, the test for the RedHawks is carrying that late-game momentum into this week's tilt. Quarterback Daniel Raudabaugh completed 19-of-30 passes for 305 yards, one TD and one INT. On the ground, sophomore running back Thomas Merriweather carried 26 times for 74 yards (2.8); not very good numbers, but he did find the end zone three times. The previous week at Michigan, he carried 21 times for 77 yards.

Sophomore defensive back Ben Bennett, making his first career start for Miami, changed the RedHawks fortunes with a fourth-quarter leaping interception at the one-yard line. He returned it 78 yards to set up the go-ahead touchdown. Another sophomore, Eugene Harris, kick-started the RedHawks' rally with a 44- yard punt return for a score late in the third quarter. Both players were named MAC East Division Players of the Week. Charleston Southern actually led, 27-17 midway through the third quarter. But the Miami defense did a nice job clamping down the rest of the way. Joey Hudson led the charge with 11 tackles, including one tackle for loss.

For Cincinnati, the worst news coming out of that loss to Oklahoma was the injury to quarterback Dustin Grutza. Grutza is out indefinitely after having surgery to repair a fractured right fibula. Tony Pike is scheduled to make his first career start. Given the circumstances, coach Kelly is likely to emphasize a more ball-control approach. Keep in mind, the Cats haven't attempted a field goal in two games. Mardy Gilyard has helped the Bearcats offense, not only with his receiving skills, but with his return skills to help set up good field position. Against Oklahoma, he set a school-record with 365 all-purpose yards. Gilyard finished with 119 receiving yards and 246 on returns, thanks to a 97-yard kick return for a touchdown, the school's first in a span of 13 years.

The Bearcat defense had its fair share of trouble stopping Oklahoma. But then again, so does everyone else. The Sooners moved the ball with relative ease, racking up 30 first downs and 592 yards of total offense. Cincinnati allowed the Sooners to score all six times they were in the red zone, in addition to going 6-of-13 on third downs, and 3-of-3 on fourth downs. Andre Revels led the defense with a game-high 12 tackles, while DeAngelo Smith finished with 11 stops. But the Bearcats seemed to wear down as the game wore one, considering Oklahoma scored on five of its six second-half possessions. In order for the Bearcats to take a step forward, they'll have to put together four quarters of sound, disciplined football.

There's no question, Cincinnati's quarterback situation is a huge concern. Look for the RedHawks to attack Pike and mix up their looks in order to confuse the new signal-caller. That's where this game will be won or lost.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Miami-Ohio 31, Cincinnati 20

Saturday, September 20th, 7:30 p.m. (et).