CLEVELAND (AP) -- The brand new Browns try for win No. 1 against the tired old Bengals. Akili Smith tries to get the best of Tim Couch. Bruce Coslet simply tries to keep his job.

Subplots abound for Sunday's renewal of the "Battle of Ohio," and it's only fitting. A rivalry like this cries out for a jump-start like this.

"It's like Ohio State-Michigan," said Bengals kicker Doug Pelfrey, who played in the last Bengals-Browns game four years ago. "You can have crazy stuff where a team with a horrible record wins, or a team that's great loses, or you have two even teams."

They're dead even at 0-4, but the similarities end there.

The expansion Browns have been getting a little better each week and a capacity crowd of 73,200 will show up Sunday anticipating their first win in their new stadium. Don't think the Bengals haven't noticed.

"This is their chance and who knows?" Bengals general manager Mike Brown said. "We'll see how it comes out."

A win for Cleveland would turn it into an historical footnote and give the Browns the very thing they need -- confirmation that they're a team on the way up.

"That first win kind gets you over the hump and who knows what happens after that," said Couch, who will start his fourth game for the Browns. "Maybe you get on a roll and run off four or five victories in a row. I think everybody will start believing and feeling a little more comfortable after that first one."

By contrast, Cincinnati is hoping for a win that would temporarily ease the pain and keep things status quo for a little longer.

The Bengals have been blown out the last three weeks by last-place finishers from 1998, leaving the coach's future on the line. A poor showing in Cleveland might seal it.

"I'm doing the best I can under the conditions I'm working with," Coslet said. "It's difficult."

Brown won't talk about Coslet's future. He doesn't have to.

"I'm not trying to go out there and save Bruce's job," Smith said. "It's my responsibility to go out and execute the offense and win. And saving Bruce's job will come with the win."

Couch and Smith, taken No. 1 and 3 in the draft, will have a lot to do with the outcome. Smith was promoted this week, providing the first head-to-head matchup of rookie quarterbacks expected to carry their franchises well into the next century.

"Will it be Elway versus Marino? I hope they (eventually) turn out like that," Coslet said. "It makes it interesting. It's a unique situation."

The Browns considered both quarterbacks for the first overall pick and negotiated with both before choosing Couch. Smith was offended, feeling he'd been used as a bargaining chip.

He promised revenge someday, but isn't in a good position to deliver it this weekend. Smith missed virtually all of training camp in a contract impasse and is still learning.

Plus, he'll be experiencing the Dawg Pound with his nerves already wound tight in his first NFL start.

"That's one of the reasons you don't play rookie quarterbacks," Coslet said. "There are all kinds of things that can happen."

Smith has gotten advice from his coaches this week: Try to stay calm and take deep breaths.

"I'll have a lot of family there," Smith said. "It's going to be a really remarkable sight for me and my family and friends to see me finally start in the NFL."

Couch is farther along than Smith because he's had more practice time, but he doesn't have Carl Pickens and Darnay Scott to throw to or Corey Dillon to hand off to.

Couch will be facing a defense that's tough up front, inexperienced in the secondary and determined to do its best to take advantage of a rookie quarterback.

"Intimidate him. Get after him. Blitz him. Confuse him. Do all that stuff to him," Bengals cornerback Artrell Hawkins said. "He has to pay his dues."

Sounds like the stuff of which rivalries are made -- and reborn.

"I'm just glad to go back there and see it up and going again," Brown said, referring to Cleveland's return. "I think that's a great thing."

CINCINNATI Season schedule and results

CLEVELAND Season schedule and results

September 12 @Tennessee L 35-36 September 19 San Diego L 7-34 September 26 @Carolina L 3-27 October 3 St. Louis L 10-38 October 10 @Cleveland 1:00pm ET October 17 Pittsburgh 1:00pm ET October 24 @Indianapolis 1:00pm ET October 31 Jacksonville 1:00pm ET November 7 @Seattle 4:15pm ET November 14 Tennessee 1:00pm ET November 21 Baltimore 4:05pm ET November 28 @Pittsburgh 1:00pm ET December 5 San Francisco 1:00pm ET December 12 Cleveland 1:00pm ET December 26 @Baltimore 1:00pm ET January 2 @Jacksonville 1:00pm ET

September 12 Pittsburgh L 0-43 September 19 @Tennessee L 9-26 September 26 @Baltimore L 10-17 October 3 New England L 7-19 October 10 Cincinnati 1:00pm ET October 17 @Jacksonville 1:00pm ET October 24 @St. Louis 1:00pm ET October 31 @New Orleans 1:00pm ET November 7 Baltimore 1:00pm ET November 14 @Pittsburgh 1:00pm ET November 21 Carolina 1:00pm ET November 28 Tennessee 1:00pm ET December 5 @San Diego 4:15pm ET December 12 @Cincinnati 1:00pm ET December 19 Jacksonville 1:00pm ET December 26 Indianapolis 1:00pm ET

Records source: STATS, Inc.

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