Cincinnati’s steps to historic CFP berth: Win, wait

No. 4 Cincinnati is riding a successful formula to the College Football Playoffs: Beat everyone on its schedule and wait out the other contenders in front of the Bearcats in the rankings.

The Bearcats (11-0, 7-0 American Athletic Conference; CFP No. 4) are looking for a repeat performance of last weekend’s

events when they play at East Carolina on Friday.

Cincinnati, ranked outside

the CFP’S final four, topped SMU 48-14 and watched Oregon fall at Utah. The Ducks were ranked third in the CFP

and their loss cleared the way for Cincinnati move

into the playoff field at No. 4 in the committee’s latest Top 25.

“We keep trying to stress to our guys we’ve got a long way to go,” Bearcats coach

Luke Fickell said after the latest rankings. “We’ve got two really big games ahead

of us. But I think all and all, the excitement about it and the recognition is well deserved to a group of guys that have really fought and battled all year.”

Cincinnati looks to finish off its second-ever 12-0 regular season against the Pirates (7-4, 5-2). Beside staying undefeated, the Bearcats would move a step closer to becoming the firstever team outside the Power Five to play for a national title.

And things look like they’re trending Cincinnati’s

way. Teams ahead of them in the CFP rankings — No. 2 Ohio State and No.

3 Alabama — have tough games ahead.

Fickell wants his Bearcats to focus only on what they

can control: finish strong at East Carolina. the Pirates are riding a four-game win

streak and are pumped to host a team ranked in the top 5 for the first time since 2006.

Pirates coach Mike Houston understands his club will have to slow down the

AAC’S highest-scoring offense and a Heisman Trophy contender in quarterback Desmond Ridder.

“It’s going to be a challenge, but our kids are excited about it,” Houston said.

Ridder has passed for 829 yards and 10 touchdowns

against no interceptions the past four games. He’s thrown for nearly that

much in three wins the

Holtmann said he was “obviously disappointed” about getting the technical. He also was called for one

in Monday’s game.

Poll Implications

Florida: Could move up in next week’s poll.

Ohio State: Even in defeat, the Buckeyes

showed that they are

close to being an AP Top 25 team even if they fall out of the rankings.

From the Line

Florida had a significant edge at the freethrow line, making 23

of 33. Ohio State had 20 attempts and made 13.

Errors to Points

The Gators scored 22

points off 18 Ohio State turnovers. Ohio State produced 10 points off 11 Florida turnovers.

Up Next

Florida: Returns home to face Troy Sunday.

Ohio State: Hosts No. 5 Duke on Tuesday night.