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Rivalry games are a funny thing. Every year there is a handful of results that are so odd, so outside of the expectation, that the fact that it’s a rivalry game is the only explanation for the performance of both teams involved. That hasn’t been the case for the Victory Bell, the annual Cincinnati-Miami tilt, as it’s been a decade since the RedHawks have had their hands on it. Could 2016 be the start of a new streak or just a continuation of the same old same old?
2016 for the RedHawks has been both a disappointment and a small window of hope. Though 0-3, two of their losses were likely much closer than most thought. On the road against Iowa and at home against Western Kentucky were both respectable. Then there was the meat on that sandwich, a loss to FCS Eastern Illinois. Well, so goes that respectable narrative.
Head coach Chuck Martin had an uphill climb to be sure when he arrived in Oxford, but the time for moral victories and better than expected results is waning. A victory for the Victory Bell would go a long way to stave off some of the more vocal critics and complainers.
Your pertinent details...
Kickoff time: 3:30PM
Television: ESPNNews
Stream: Watch ESPN app, pending cable provider
Radio: Coverage on the Miami radio network throughout southeast Ohio and southwest Indiana. Affiliates include: WMOH-AM 1450 (Hamilton, Ohio), WFMG-FM 101.3 (Richmond, Ind.), WDBZ-AM 1230 (Cincinnati, Ohio), WONE-AM 980 (Dayton, Ohio), WKBV-AM 1490 and 100.9 FM (Richmond, Ind.)
Weather: Low 80s, partly cloudy, slight chance of rain
Line: Cincinnati -17
Preview: Jordan’s Miami preview can be found here, as well as a Q&A with Cincy blog Down the Drive here.