Ohio puts its 3-1 MAC record on the line when the Bobcats (3-5 overall) travel to Oxford Saturday to take on arch-rival Miami. The RedHawks (6-3, 4-1) are fresh off a 27-13 win at Toledo. For many Ohio fans, the game will be a barometer for the team. Has the team finally turned the corner under second-year head coach Brian Knorr? Or have the Cats simply feasted upon the misfortunes of the MAC's cellar dwellers?

Behind the quarterbacking of Fred Ray, Ohio has put 50 points on the board in consecutive games for the first time since 1920. Ray and company lead the MAC in rushing (253.5 YPG) but will face the 3rd-best scoring (24.6 PPG) and rushing (140.2 YPG) defense. The RedHawks are vulnerable though the air, however, allowing a MAC-worst 274.7 yards per game.

Other than second-half collapses against UConn and Buffalo and a total meltdown vs. Bowling Green, the Ohio defense has played well for the most part. It ranks 4th in the MAC allowing an average of 365.9 yards a game despite the 687 yards given up in the BG debacle. The D was most impressive in its last outing shutting down Kent St. QB Joshua Cribbs and keeping the Golden Flashes off the scoreboard.

But the Cats will have their hands full with the passing attack of Miami sophomore QB Ben Roethlisberger. He throws for almost 275 yards per game and has 16 TD's and 8 interceptions. Junior running back Luke Clemens has given Miami a run option averaging nearly 82 yards per game on the ground with 13 scores.

The 1:00 game will be televised by the Ohio Sports Network. Satellite coordinates are SBS 6K, Transponder 7.