In case the Cincinnati Bearcats are wondering — and how could they not be, given their propensity for fourth-quarter comebacks — the biggest final-stanza deficit overcome by UC against Miami is 16 points, in 1968.

        This isn't to say it's going to come down to that today at Nippert Stadium, but there's no reason to suspect it won't.

        UC is 2-2, and all its wins (Texas Christian, Temple) and losses (West Virginia, Ohio State) were decided in the fourth quarter or overtime (TCU).

        UC ranks 12th in the country in passing offense (299.5 yards a game), and a lot of that has come in the fourth quarter. If UC quarterback Gino Guidugli were a pitcher, he'd have been turned into a ninth-inning reliever by now. He thrives under pressure.

        Guidugli's fourth-quarter and overtime numbers are almost as good as those in his first three quarters combined. In the first three quarters, he has put up 645 yards and four touchdowns; in the fourth quarter and OT, he has 553 yards and four touchdowns.

        Granted, Guidugli throws more in the final frame (32-for-51) than in any other quarter (he's a combined 56-for-108 in the first three quarters).

        It will be interesting to see whether UC head coach Rick Minter allows his offense to open up things up early today, rather than waiting for it to be backed into a corner.

        UC's spread offense worked wonders against OSU. When Minter was asked earlier this week how he balances what so many fans want (the excitement of the spread offense) vs. what he wants (victories, however he can get them,), he said:

        “I've never gotten caught up in the flair of how you look — the bottom line is whether you win or lose.”

        He said for the Bearcats to beat Miami and have a successful season, they must improve their kicking and running “and play better, solid defense and not give up big plays.”

        “If we'll eliminate why ... we put ourselves into a position to lose... we'll have a chance to be a good football team, and it doesn't matter about play-calling,” Minter said. “Last week, we called 35 or 40 runs (against Temple) and rushed for (only) 100 yards. We don't have to call more runs, but we've got to block better and run better.”

        That statement makes one believe UC is going to be hell-bent on getting its rushing game on track against Miami. UC's 108.3-yard average ranks 100th in Division I.

        Considering Miami is giving up 151 yards a game on the ground (65th in the country), UC probably likes it odds.

        Miami's defense against the pass is not stingy (96th in the country at 136 yards a game), but UC wideout Tye Keith was impressed by what he saw of the RedHawks last year.

        “They disguise their defenses well and even though we call a lot of our plays at the line, they knew what was coming,” Keith said. “We'd call a run to the right, and they'd shift their D-line to the right and be on it. And with me, I'd had success (in earlier games) on hitch routes on the back side, but Miami would buzz a linebacker out on me and take away the little hitches, the little underneath stuff. They were ready for us.”

        Guidugli doesn't see himself calling more audibles than normal Saturday.

        “I think our coaches got 'em scouted pretty good,” Guidugli said. “I think we're going to be able to do some things.”

        The question is whether Miami might be able to do even more. Miami QB Ben Roethlisberger has the ability to make rush defenders miss, and can carve up a secondary.

        Last year against UC, he was 20-of-25 for 264 yards and two TDs passing, plus another running.

        “He's mobile and versatile,” said UC defensive end Andre Frazier, a 6-foot-5, 213-pounder who is third on the team with 4.5 sacks. “Everybody notices his passing stats, but what makes it hard for D-linemen is (Roethlisberger's) ability to elude and then take off.

        “Plus, I think they present more problems for us with their running attack than people might think.”

        Last year, St.Xavier grad Michael Larkin was the game's top receiver at 75 yards on three catches, including a 43-yard TD.

        “They've got some quick guys and some guys who are tall and quick,” said UC senior free safety Ivan Fields. “They like throwing the fade to No.80 (Jason Branch).

        “Even when (Roethlisberger) is scrambling, he's still looking to throw. With him being able to throw on the run like he can, and with his receivers doing such a good job of coming back to him, it's good combination for them.”

Bearcats players pay Huggins a visit Offense comes to pass for RedHawks, Bearcats MU goal: Keep up without Jones Want a big game? Add bells, mountains or an axe

FSN Ohio agrees to televise at least 17 Musketeers games
NBA Pacers will open XU camp today
Colts defense top priority for Dungy
Receiver Farmer on verge of return
Back to the bench: Stewart can't figure out what went wrong
A real football school - and proud of it
Buckeyes looking to run roughshod over Northwestern
Ragone's performance returns him to the national spotlight
Two early losses anger Nebraska's rabid followers
Iowa braces for homegrown passer
Irish, Cardinal coaches wait to name starting QBs
No. 1 Miami running over opponents
SEC's top QBs meet when Gators travel to Ole Miss
BYU 35, Utah State 34
Fresno St. 32, No. 25 Colorado St. 30
Injured Sprewell has some explainin' to do
Investors seek answers in Celtics sale
Mayfair, Duval tied for lead
Report: Augusta member speaks up for women
Westerly Breeze, Owsley win at Keeneland
Manning, Miller recieve national humanitarian awards
Miami pounds Air Force in hockey opener
NASCAR qualifying washed out
Angels 9, Yankees 6
Athletics 6, Twins 3
Maddux must prove himself in postseason
World champions try to avoid first-round sweep
Lots of long balls in playoffs
Playoffs notebook
Hawk, Doggie back for Marlins
Station suspends DJ for on-air prank involving Kile's widow
Aiken 27, Belmont 6
Anderson 37, harrison 34
Batavia 44, Williamsburg 0
Bethel Tate 35, Clermont NE 0
CCD 55, Landmark Christian 28
Chaminade-Julienne 57, Purcell Marian 13
CHCA 37, Columbus Bishop Hartley 0
Clinton-Massie 33, Blanchester 0
Colerain 31, Oak Hills 13
CovCath-Highlands rescheduled for today
Dayton Dunbar 46, Western Hills 18
Dixie Heights 24, Conner 6
East Central 31, Lawrenceburg 7
Glen Este 21, Winton Woods 14
Goshen 14, Hillsboro 7
Holy Cross 36, Bellevue 6
Holy Cross 36, Bellevue 6
How Enquirer poll teams fared
Indian Hill 19, Wyoming 0
Indiana football scores
Kentucky football scores
Kettering Alter 28, Badin 14
Kings 42, Ross 13
Lakota West 33, Milford 21
Lebanon 7, Carroll 0
Lemon-Monroe 17, Talawanda 14
Lloyd 37, Newport 7
Loveland 35, Norwood 13
Madeira 29, Finneytown 0
Mason 39 , Northwest 21
Mauk sets national yards record
Meadowdale 34, Jacobs 6
Middletown 14, Fairfield 6
New Richmond 35, Western Brown 0
NewCath 48, Ludlow 0
North College Hill 44, Lockland 7
Ohio football scores
Prep football scores
Princeton 42, Lakota East 21
Reading 34, Deer Park 0
Ryle 24, Boone County 9
Scott 56, Grant Co. 6
Simon Kenton 26, Campbell County 22
St. Xavier 35, LaSalle 7
Sycamore 49, Hamilton 7
Taylor 17, Mariemont 14
Turpin 20, Amelia 12
Wilmington 6, Little Miami 0
Woodward 26, Shroder Paideia 0