For their 102nd meeting today, Cincinnati (5-2) and Miami (6-1) bring their best combined records for this game since 1954, when the Bearcats entered ''The Game'' 8-1 and Miami was 7-1. In that one, Ara Parseghian's Miami team beat Sid Gillman's Bearcats 21-9.
Today's game features some of each school's top players of their long histories, including:
- For UC, linebacker Phillip Curry needs four tackles today to become the school's career leader. Offensive tackle Jason Fabini and defensive end Derrick Ransom have been rated by ESPN analyst Mel Kiper as high NFL draft picks.
- For Miami, quarterback Sam Ricketts is the leading passer in school history in six categories, including yardage and touchdowns. Tailback Travis Prentice leads the nation in rushing touchdowns this year, with 18. Offensive guard Mike Bird, a two-time all-league pick, is considered one of the finest linemen in school history and is an NFL prospect.
Miami carries a serious head of steam. The RedHawks' five-game winning streak includes wins over 19th-ranked Virginia Tech and Marshall, and they rank 11th nationally in scoring offense (38.0) and 17th in total defense (293.6).
Next
UC (5-2)
at Miami (6-1)
When: 2 p.m., Saturday
Where:Yager Stadium
Line:Miami by 6 1/2.
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UC, a 41-38 double-overtime loser at Houston last week, relies heavily on its running game, which is ranked 15th nationally compared to a passing offense that ranks only 103rd. The Bearcat defense, ranked 27th nationally, hopes to contain Prentice and rattle Ricketts with its attacking style.
''They're big, and they're fast,'' Ricketts said. ''They'll heat us up. We expect them to blitz a lot.''
UC coach Rick Minter said Miami deserves its status as a 6ï-point favorite.
''I'd make it more like 10,'' he said. ''Their games have not been in doubt, and ours have. They're much more in rhythm than us.'' UC's loss at Houston seriously damaged its Conference USA title hopes. The Bearcats find themselves in an unfamiliar position today, underdogs to a school from a supposedly lesser league (Mid-American Conference).
UC does hold the series' traveling trophy, the Victory Bell, after a 30-23 triple-overtime win at Nippert Stadium last year. The teams have split the past five games of the series, winning twice each while tying once.
''We want to keep that Bell at home,'' said UC safety DeJuan Gossett (Wyoming High). ''It's something you talk about with your friends. I know some people at Miami.''
Gossett is one of 14 UC players with local ties. Miami has 12. There are the usual sidebars and a few fightin' words, such as UC starting center Brian Uhl (CAPE) remembering how Miami did not recruit him.
''That'll be in the back of my mind,'' Uhl said.
People who have worked at both UC and Miami say the game means more to the RedHawks, because UC likes to think it is better than the MAC. But Miami leads the all-time series 54-40-7, and UC players annually list ''Beat Miami'' as one of their major goals.
Make no mistake, both love beating the other.
''We try to treat them all the same,'' Miami coach Randy Walker said. ''But UC . . . shoot, that's a big game.''
MIAMI DEFENSE TARGETS PLUMMER
SEASON IN STORIES