Miami Hurricanes Football Game 4 Preview: Cincinnati Bearcats

The Miami Hurricanes are 3-0 and are coming off a bye week after an emotional win against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Now, Miami travels to Cincinnati to take on the Bearcats in what should be a good road test for the ‘Canes right before they start up their ACC slate against Florida State. It’s important for Miami to not overlook the Bearcats with the Seminoles next up on the schedule. Can Miami beat Cincinnati for the second straight year? We’ll find out.

Game Details

Miami Hurricanes (3-0, 0-0 ACC) vs. Cincinnati Bearcats (2-2, 0-2 AAC)

Thursday, October 1, 7:30 PM EST, ESPN

Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Line: Miami -6.5

Passing Offense vs. Cincinnati

Brad Kaaya is the best offensive player on the Hurricanes roster and we got to see him and the entire offense finally open things up a little bit more against Nebraska 10 days ago. Kaaya and the offense had been a little shaky during the first two games, but that was expected with the coaches not wanting to show much offensively. Kaaya threw for 287 yards and 3 touchdowns during last year’s meeting and then was pulled out after Miami blew the game open.

Rushing Offense vs. Cincinnati

The Miami running game was the big topic out of the first two wins this season. Joseph Yearby and Mark Walton have been a spectacular duo for Miami. Yearby ran for 125 yards on 17 carries against the Huskers 10 days ago, while Walton only went for 23 yards but he had a couple of touchdowns called back because of penalty. Miami is averaging 184.3 yards per game through the ground and the running game will be a big part of the Hurricanes game plan, especially in the first half.

With Jamal Carter and Deon Bush out for the first half, Miami is going to try and control the clock and that’s going to have be done through the ground game. Yearby and Walton will get plenty of opportunities to carve up a defense that’s allowing 172.8 yards per game on the ground.

The Miami offensive line, however, will have to deal with Silverberry Mouhon, who is the big presence on the defensive line for the Bearcats.

Passing Defense vs. Cincinnati

Every team has a strength and the strength of the Bearcats is their creative passing attack. Cincinnati, however, will be without starting quarterback Gunner Kiel as he suffered another head injury last Thursday against Memphis. Head coach Tummy Tubberville has named redshirt freshman Hayden Moore as his starter against Miami. Moore got a chance to play against Memphis and he definitely ran away with that opportunity, throwing for 557 yards against the Tigers which is a new school record. Moore threw the ball 53 times so the young quarterback will have a chance to play a lot of plays, but also make a lot of mistakes.

For Miami, they’ll be without Bush and Carter after they were ejected from the game against Nebraska. Bush is arguably the most important player on the Miami defense so that definitely hurts the Miami defense. Carter is also a capable safety, so his loss hurts, too. With their absence, Miami will likely start Rayshawn Jenkins and Dallas Crawford at safety on Thursday. Jenkins has two interceptions this season and starting a game is nothing new to him. Crawford, however, has struggled since making the switch to safety and he’ll need to play a lot better. Jaquan Johnson will also get some playing time and he’ll try to show why he was so highly touted out of Killian high school.

The Miami secondary will have to deal with a tough passing attack, but they just have to weather the storm until Bush and Carter are back in the second half. As you would expect, the Bearcats have a ton of options in the passing game.

Cincinnati has 5 guys with 10 or more receptions this season and they’re led by Shaq Washington’s 26 receptions. While Washington leads the team in receptions, Chris Moore is the best receiver on the roster and he leads the team with 315 yards and is tied for touchdowns with 2. Miami also has to worry about Max Morrison, Alex Chisum, Johnny Holton and Mekale McKay. Those four guys have a combined production of 53 receptions, 859 yards and 6 touchdowns. This offense is the real deal, Artie Burns, Corn Elder and the rest of that secondary needs to be ready to play, and play fast.

Miami has 8 takeaways this season and they’ll need a couple Thursday night.

Rushing Defense vs. Cincinnati

While Cincinnati’s passing attack is what a lot of people identify the Bearcats with, their running attack is actually pretty damn good. Cincinnati runs for 210 yards per game, which puts them at 37th in the country in that department. Tion Green and Hosey Williams are the two guys mostly responsible for the Cincinnati running game and they compliment each other well. Green is the 230-pound bruiser, while Williams is the quicker of the two at 5’9. Green has 63 carries through 4 games and has ran for 293 yards and three touchdowns, while Williams has 56 carries and 269 yards with a score.

Jermaine Grace is healthy enough to play for Miami and that’s very important for Miami. Grace is the best tackler on the team and they’ll need a lot of solid tackling against the Cincinnati offense. If you miss tackles against this team, they have the explosiveness to gash you for really big gains. Miami’s defense is in for a battle against both Cincinnati’s passing game and their running game.

Prediction

The Hurricanes are without two key defensive players for a half and that’ll play a big factor in this game. I think if Miami is able to establish themselves offensively in the first half and wait for Bush and Carter to come back in the second half, they won’t have a problem. Kiel being out for Cincinnati is a significant loss in this one, even if Moore had a big day against Memphis.

If Miami gets off to a slow start and lets Cincinnati get momentum, I think it’ll be a pretty long day for the Hurricanes. I, however, think the ‘Canes will come out with a good game plan and be able to hold off the Bearcats, just like they did during last year’s meeting.

Miami 48, Cincinnati 38

Cincinnati is a good team and their offense will create a ton of problems for Miami, but Miami will keep it close in the first half, but then have a big second half to get out of Nippert Stadium with a win.

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