CINCINNATI — One of college football’s oldest rivalries will move into a new home Saturday afternoon.
Cincinnati and Miami will meet for the 129th time in the Battle for the Victory Bell, but for the first time, the game will be played at TQL Stadium.
The Bearcats enter at 2-0 after dismantling Western Carolina 62-10 last weekend. Cincinnati accumulated 690 total yards—the fifth-highest total in program history—including 418 on the ground. The rushing performance was UC’s best since 1970.
Gi’Bran Payne led the attack with 102 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries, becoming the first Cincinnati player since Corey Kiner in 2024 to begin a season with consecutive 100-yard games. Cole Tabb, Zylan Perry and Zion Johnson also scored as the Bearcats demonstrated the depth of their backfield.
Quarterback JC French IV was nearly perfect, completing 21 of 24 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns. His 87.5 completion percentage was the best by a Cincinnati quarterback with at least 20 attempts in a game since at least 1996.
Through two games, Cincinnati has rushed for 672 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 7.1 yards per carry. The Bearcats have also avoided committing a turnover, helping them build a plus-three turnover margin.
Miami enters at 1-1 following two considerably different performances. The RedHawks opened with a 59-14 loss at Pittsburgh before responding with a 45-7 victory over Holy Cross.
Quarterback David McComb completed all 13 of his passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns against Holy Cross before sitting out the second half. The redshirt freshman has thrown for 475 yards and four touchdowns without an interception through his first 46 attempts of the season.
Miami also has an experienced offensive line and Monmouth transfer Rodney Nelson, who rushed for 1,802 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. Freshman Scoop Smith provides another threat as a receiver, runner and return specialist despite being listed at only 5-foot-5.
The RedHawks should provide a much stronger challenge than Western Carolina. Miami has reached five consecutive bowl games, appeared in three straight MAC Championship Games and was picked to finish second in the conference this season.
Its defense has also finished among the nation’s top 41 in scoring defense during each of the past five seasons. Miami currently ranks second in the MAC against the run, allowing 103 yards per game.
Something will have to give against a Cincinnati rushing attack that has overwhelmed its first two opponents.
The Bearcats have won 17 of the past 18 meetings and lead the all-time series 61-60-7. Their most recent victory came in 2024, when Cincinnati defeated Miami 27-16 in Oxford.
A win Saturday would give UC its first 3-0 start since 2021 and allow the Bearcats to carry momentum into next week’s Big 12 opener against Kansas State.
Players to Watch
- JC French IV — French has accounted for six touchdowns through two games while completing 39 of 46 passes without an interception. Miami’s defense should require more from him than Western Carolina did, particularly if the RedHawks can slow Cincinnati’s running game.
- Gi’Bran Payne — Payne has established himself as the leader of Cincinnati’s deep backfield with 210 rushing yards through two games. Another strong performance would give him three consecutive 100-yard games to begin his Bearcats career.
- Jonathan Thompson — Thompson leads Cincinnati with 15 tackles and has added 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. His ability to pressure McComb could be important against a quarterback who has yet to throw an interception.
Game Information
Who: Miami RedHawks vs. Cincinnati Bearcats
When: September 19, 2026, at 3:30 p.m.
Where: TQL Stadium — Cincinnati, Ohio
History: Cincinnati leads 61-60-7
Last: Cincinnati 27, Miami 16 (2024)
Television: ESPN+
Radio: 700 WLW | SiriusXM Channel 176 or 237
Point Spread: Cincinnati -15.5 (BetMGM)
Notes
- Saturday’s game will be the first football game played at TQL Stadium.
- The rivalry began in 1888 with the first college football game played in Ohio.
- The 129 meetings tie Cincinnati-Miami with Oregon-Oregon State for the fourth-most-played rivalry in FBS history.
- Cincinnati is seeking its first 3-0 start since reaching the College Football Playoff in 2021.
- The Bearcats have rushed for 672 yards and 10 touchdowns through two games while committing no turnovers.
- Miami quarterback David McComb has not thrown an interception in his first 46 attempts this season.
Prediction
Miami is too experienced and too well-coached to be treated like another Western Carolina. McComb has been efficient, and the RedHawks’ defense has consistently ranked among the better units outside the Power Four.
Cincinnati still possesses the more talented roster and should control the line of scrimmage with its offensive line and deep group of running backs. Miami may keep the game competitive into the second half, but the Bearcats’ rushing attack should eventually create separation and keep the Victory Bell in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati 35, Miami 17
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