Miami (OH) vs Cincinnati Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 19, 2026
The Miami (OH) RedHawks face the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, with the opening kickoff scheduled for 3:30 PM ET on ESPN+. Miami (OH) is 1-1 overall and 0-0 in the MAC after beating Holy Cross 45-7, bouncing back from a 59-14 loss at Pittsburgh. Cincinnati is 2-0 overall and 0-0 in the Big 12 after a 62-10 win over Western Carolina, which followed a 34-15 victory over Boston College. Check out Saturday’s matchup with our free NCAAF picks.
Miami (OH) RedHawks
Miami (OH) has scored 59 points through two games, with a much stronger showing in the win over Holy Cross. The RedHawks are averaging 249 passing yards and 114 rushing yards per game. David McComb has completed 29 of 46 passes for 475 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Damarion Witten has turned three receptions into 100 yards and two touchdowns, while Lynel Billups-Williams leads the team with eight catches for 104 yards and a score. The ground game has produced 228 yards and three touchdowns.
The RedHawks have allowed 33 points per game, with the 59 points surrendered at Pittsburgh driving that number upward. Miami (OH) has recorded only two sacks and has yet to intercept a pass. Malcolm McCain leads the defense with 12 total tackles, followed by Toney Coleman Jr. with 10. Tyler Dikos and Roosevelt Andrews III have one sack apiece. That defense now faces a Cincinnati offense averaging 48 points through its opening two victories.
Injuries: TEs N. Butbul, T. Zvonar and B. Boeing and WR D. Hyatt are questionable with undisclosed injuries. TE E. Karner, WR K. Reynolds and QB T. Gotkowski are out with undisclosed injuries.
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Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati has opened 2-0 behind an offense that has scored 96 points and generated most of its damage on the ground. The Bearcats have rushed for 672 yards, averaging 336 per game and 7.1 yards per carry, with 10 rushing touchdowns. Gi'Bran Payne leads Cincinnati with 210 yards and two touchdowns, while Cole Tabb has 109 yards on only 11 attempts. JC French IV has added 104 rushing yards and three scores while completing 31 of 38 passes for 322 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
The Bearcats have allowed only 25 points through two games, holding Boston College to 15 before giving up 10 against Western Carolina. Cincinnati has recorded four sacks and two interceptions. Jonathan Thompson leads the defense with 15 tackles and 1.5 sacks, while Josh Hough also has 1.5 sacks. Antwan Peek Jr. has 14 tackles, and MJ Cannon has one of Cincinnati's two interceptions. The Bearcats have also forced two fumbles through their first two games.
Injuries: No injuries to report.
Miami (OH) vs Cincinnati Prediction
Cincinnati has the stronger early-season numbers, especially on the ground. The Bearcats are averaging 336 rushing yards and have scored 10 rushing touchdowns, while French has completed more than 81% of his passes without an interception. Miami (OH) has shown big-play ability through McComb, but the RedHawks are allowing 33 points per game and have generated only two sacks. Cincinnati’s rushing production gives the Bearcats the biggest advantage in this matchup. Miami (OH) can produce points through the passing game, but Cincinnati will control the ground game and create enough defensive stops to win comfortably. Final Score Prediction: Cincinnati Bearcats win, 38-17.
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