"Respect the rivalry" has been University of Cincinnati football coach Luke Fickell's message to his team all week. Fickell will find out Saturday if his Bearcats were listening.
The Bearcats (1-1) will take on in-state rival Miami University (1-1) in the 126th Battle for the Victory Bell at Paycor Stadium. Although the rivalry series is knotted at 59 wins apiece (59-59-7), Cincinnati of late has dominated their neighbors from Oxford.
The Bearcats are seeking their 16th straight win against the RedHawks.
UC football Miami UniversityScouting report: Meet the Miami RedHawks, UC's rival in the Battle for the Victory Bell
"We don't want to lose that.