2026 MAC Football Week 3 Game Preview: Miami (OH) RedHawks vs. Cincinnati Bearcats

Setting the scene

College football is built on the foundation of rivalries. Some are modern, others have decades of lore, and a select few originated in the early 1900s. And then there's the Battle for the Victory Bell.

Cincinnati vs. Miami (OH) is the fifth-most played rivalry in college football history, only trailing Minnesota-Wisconsin, Auburn-Georgia, North Carolina-Virginia, and Oregon-Oregon State. Dating back to 1888, it is considered the sport's oldest non-conference rivalry.

The two schools less than 40 miles apart have clashed 128 times. While Cincinnati has been the victor 17 of the last 18 times, the rivalry couldn't be any more even. The Bearcats lead the all-time series, 61-60-7. But this particular Victory Bell has more stakes than the previous 128 meetings.

This is the last installment of the rivalry. There are no more Victory Bells to be won after Saturday. Cincinnati and Miami recently moving to 9-game conference schedules effectively terminated one of the college football's most longstanding traditions. If the Bearcats win, they secure the series victory, 62-60-7, and house the Victory Bell forever. If the RedHawks win, it's an even 61-61-7, and the bell resides in Oxford.

TQL Stadium, a 26,000-seat soccer venue in Cincinnati, will serve as the neutral-site host for the 129th and final foreseeable edition of the oldest non-conference rivalry.

Game notes

• Time and date: Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. ET
• Network: ESPN+
• Location: TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, OH
• Spread: Cincinnati (-14.5)
• Over/under: 49.5
• All-time series: Cincinnati leads, 61-60-7
• Last meeting: Cincinnati 27, Miami (OH) 16 (September 14, 2024)
• Current streak: Cincinnati, 1 (2024)

Miami RedHawks outlook

Miami (OH) (1-1, 0-0 MAC) has been accustomed to slow starts in recent years. The RedHawks started 0-3 starts in 2024 and 2025, but they overcame those initial obstacles and qualified for the MAC Championship Game both years.

This season, Miami struggled immensely on defense in a 59-14 season opener at Pittsburgh. But the RedHawks don't have to worry about 0-3 after annihilating FCS opponent Holy Cross, 45-7.

Even through all the program's recent success and perennial MAC title game appearances, this was a bigger offensive explosion than Miami had seen in a while. The 45 points tied for Miami's highest in its last 22 games. One reason behind the offense's breakthrough is the play of redshirt freshman quarterback David McComb.

McComb won the fall camp QB battle due to an injury to Thomas Gotkowski. The Kansas transfer never took any collegiate snaps before this year, but he looked poised in his debut at Pitt, throwing for 241 yards and a touchdown on 16 completions, without throwing an interception. In Week 2, McComb couldn't have played any better. He finished a perfect 13-of-13 with 234 passing yards and three touchdowns. All five of his drives resulted in seven points, and McComb earned an early rest after producing a 42-0 halftime lead.

Miami is operating without Keith Reynolds, who was expected to be the lead receiver. Even in his absence, the group has shown depth, even if a No. 1 option hasn't emerged. Lynel Billups-Williams was primarily used as a punt returner and only caught six passes last year, but he's already up to eight receptions for 104 yards as the team leader. Braylon Isom, transfers Maleek Huggins and Damarion Witten, and 5'5" true freshman Scoop Smith are also contributing to a Miami aerial attack which has shown tremendous explosiveness thus far — averaging 15.1 yards per reception.

Miami's greater challenge will be establishing a ground game. The RedHawks take a committee approach to the running back position and rotate four options — Lazaro Rogers, D'Shawntae Jones, Cade Yacamelli, and Rodney Nelson. The group had minimal success at Pitt, but everyone thrived to an extent last week. This rotation will work behind one of the MAC's more veteran offensive lines, as Miami returned four starters and added two-time All-MAC tackle Evan Malcore from Northern Illinois. So far, they've only allowed two sacks.

Defense has been the driving force of all four Miami MAC title game appearances under head coach Chuck Martin. Surrendering 59 points in the opener was uncharacteristic for the program, but Miami bounced back maturely against FCS competition by producing a shutout until the final seconds of the third quarter.

The RedHawks are still waiting for stars to emerge on this year's defense. So far, inside linebacker Malcolm McCain has been the most steady tackler, producing 12 stops for the RedHawks. Safety Eli Coppess is also a potential breakout player. Last season he intercepted three passes as a reserve, and he has been one of the team's more efficient coverage specialists this year with seven tackles and a pass breakup.

Miami demands more out of the pass rush. In 2025, the RedHawks were one of eight teams to produce at least 40 sacks. This year, they only have two. It will be a daunting task against Cincinnati's All-American caliber offensive line, but defensive end Grant Lyons and defensive tackle Roosevelt Andrews III will look for any advantage they can find in the trenches.

Cincinnati Bearcats outlook

Cincinnati (2-0, 0-0 Big 12) is off to a stress-free 2-0 start. The Bearcats haven't trailed past their first offensive possession, and they don't even leave the confines of their city until October. However, this will be the team's first matchup outside of Nippert Stadium this year, even if it's a two-mile trek down the road.

The Bearcats entered the season among the nation's elite in one position group. Cincinnati fields one of the best offensive lines in the country, returning an AP All-American guard in Evan Tengesdahl, an All-Big 12 tackle in Joe Cotton, and a veteran center in Taran Tyo. Those three returning starters helped the Bearcats allow the second-fewest sacks and produce the third-highest rushing average in the FBS last year. Cincinnati filled its two vacancies on the right side with guard Xavier Lozowicki and tackle Judea Milton. The unit remains lethal. So far, it only allowed one sack, while leading the Bearcats to the third-most rushing yards per game (336) with the 10th-highest average (7.1) in the FBS.

Cincinnati's running back room is under new direction. Notre Dame transfer Gi'Bran Payne is operating as the No. 1 after consecutive 100-yard outings, averaging 8.1 yards per carry along the way. Cole Tabb (Stanford) and Zylan Perry (Louisiana) are among other transfers thriving behind the offensive line, combining for 206 yards on a 9.0 average. Even the Bearcats' new quarterback JC French IV is running the ball better than ever, notching 104 rushing yards and a Big 12-high three rushing touchdowns through two starts.

French's arm talent was well documented at Georgia Southern. He became the program's all-time leading passer in just two seasons as the starter. At Cincinnati, he hasn't been required to do much through the air given the strength of the run game. But when called upon, he has been money, completing 31-of-38 attempts for 322 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.

Cincinnati is relying heavily on former FCS standouts in the receiving corps. JV Gibson, whose FCS success landed him a season at Oklahoma, leads the unit with 133 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Malachi Henry (87 yards) is the only other Bearcat receiver to exceed 20 yards through two games. The Bearcats haven't needed their receivers to step up yet, but that might change if teams begin to stack the box and dare French to win through the air.

Cincinnati's defense only surrendered three touchdowns in the first two weeks. The unit has particularly excelled with stopping opposing running backs. Linebackers Jonathan Thompson and Antwan Peek Jr. serve as the top counters to opposing run games, owning 15 and 14 tackles, respectively on this defense.

First-year defensive coordinator Nate Woody's 3-4 scheme is designed to highlight linebacker speed, and that has been on full display thus far. With the linebackers providing significant contributions, Cincinnati has 10 tackles for loss. Defensive tackle Josh Hough has also been instrumental to the Bearcats' success at the line of scrimmage, picking up 1.5 sacks after transferring in from the Division II level.

Perhaps the strangest statistic about this defense: it already matched its interception total from 2025. The Bearcats only picked off two passes last year, but they've already recorded an interception in each of their first two outings.

Prediction

Rivalries are naturally emotional games, even if this one has been one-sided for the majority of the 21st century. But these teams will lay out everything to claim ownership of that Victory Bell for posterity.

Cincinnati's advantage is its offensive line and run game. Miami's retooled front hasn't shown the ability to force routine stops at the line of scrimmage. Going against the likes of Evan Tengesdahl and Joe Cotton won't be easy, and the Bearcats are willing to spam the run until an effective counter arrives.

Miami should be able to create some offense through the air, given David McComb's poise in the pocket and the speed of the receiving corps. The RedHawks' scoring drives will be fueled by explosive playmaking, but Cincinnati's offense ends up moving the ball more consistently.

In the end, the Bearcats claim the 129th and final Victory Bell, winning the series, 62-60-7.

Prediction: Cincinnati 30, Miami (OH) 17

This preview was done in collaboration with SB Nation's Underdog Dynasty.