Luke Fickell
FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Colorado head coach Mel Tucker looks on before the start of their NCAA college football game against Utah, in Salt Lake City. A person familiar with the decision says Colorado coach Mel Tucker has agreed to lead Michigan State's football program. The person spoke Wednesday morning, Feb. 12, 2020, to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the hiring had not been announced. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
Michigan State rallies to hire Tucker away from Colorado

By Larry Lage Feb. 12, 2020 07:54 AM EST

FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2019, file photo, Ohio State defensive end Chase Young, right, works against Florida Atlantic during an NCAA football game, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State said, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, the NCAA has concluded that star DE Chase Young must sit out one more football game before he can return. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon, File)
Playoff matchups: OU slowdown vs LSU; Clemson keys on Young

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 24, 2019 09:51 AM EST

NCAA college football player, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow poses for a photo after winning the Heisman Trophy, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason Szenes)
LSU QB Joe Burrow wins Heisman Trophy in landslide vote

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 14, 2019 09:03 PM EST

Memphis quarterback Brady White, center, celebrates after his team defeated Cincinnati in an NCAA college football game for the American Athletic Conference championship Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
No. 16 Memphis wins AAC title, coach heads to Florida State

By Clay Bailey Dec. 07, 2019 08:07 PM EST

AAC championship at stake in Memphis-Cincinnati rematch

By Teresa M. Walker Dec. 06, 2019 10:00 AM EST
For the fourth time ever, teams that met in a regular-season finale will play in a conference championship a week later. That makes...

Memphis' Chris Claybrooks runs the opening kickoff back 94 yards for a touchdown against Cincinnati in the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Team effort makes No. 16 Memphis productive on kick returns

By Teresa M. Walker Dec. 05, 2019 03:37 PM EST

Memphis quarterback Brady White (3) and defensive back Chris Claybrooks (7) celebrate after an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
No. 17 Memphis tops No. 18 Cincinnati 34-24 to host AAC game

By Teresa M. Walker Nov. 29, 2019 07:03 PM EST

Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell works the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Temple, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
No. 17 Memphis No. 18 Cincinnati play to host AAC title game

By Teresa M. Walker Nov. 28, 2019 10:05 AM EST

Cincinnati cornerback Coby Bryant (7) picks up a blocked extra point attempt by Temple place kicker Will Mobley before returning it for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
No. 17 Cincinnati beats Temple 15-13 for AAC title berth

By Joe Kay Nov. 23, 2019 10:22 PM EST

Temple quarterback Anthony Russo throws a pass against South Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
No. 17 Cincinnati tries to clinch AAC East vs pesky Owls

By Joe Kay Nov. 22, 2019 12:59 PM EST

South Florida's Trevon Sands is tackled by Cincinnati's Elijah Ponder during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
No. 17 Cincinnati rallies to beat South Florida 20-17

By Fred Goodall Nov. 16, 2019 11:12 PM EST

South Florida quarterback Jordan McCloud (12) is tripped by Temple cornerback Harrison Hand (23) on a run during the second half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
No. 17 Cincinnati wants to avoid letdown against USF

By Fred Goodall Nov. 15, 2019 04:42 PM EST

Connecticut quarterback Jack Zergiotis passes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
No. 17 Cincinnati stays unbeaten in AAC, routs UConn 48-3

By Joe Kay Nov. 09, 2019 06:49 PM EST

Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell, center, reacts to a pass interference call against his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against East Carolina in Greenville, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
No. 17 Cincinnati wants to avoid another close call vs UConn

By Joe Kay Nov. 08, 2019 04:06 PM EST

Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder (9) avoids a rush by East Carolina's Chance Purvis (46) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Greenville, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
No. 17 Cincinnati escapes with 46-43 victory over ECU

By Joedy Mccreary Nov. 02, 2019 10:55 PM EDT

East Carolina quarterback Holton Ahlers, left, scores a touchdown on a 20-yard run as he get past Central Florida defensive back Antwan Collier during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
No. 17 Cincinnati visits ECU looking to keep rolling

By Joedy Mccreary Nov. 01, 2019 10:05 AM EDT

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) hands the ball off to running back Lyn-J Dixon (23) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisville in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Clemson slides to 4, but why now?

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 21, 2019 02:23 AM EDT

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) passes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tulsa, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
No. 21 Cincinnati holds on for 24-13 win over Tulsa

By Joe Kay Oct. 19, 2019 07:02 PM EDT

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder, right, celebrates his touchdown with Alec Pierce during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Houston, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
No. 21 Cincinnati tries to extend momentum vs Tulsa

By Joe Kay Oct. 18, 2019 03:37 PM EDT

Cincinnati running back Michael Warren II (3) carries the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against UCF, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Back in Top 25, Cincinnati takes momentum to Houston

By Joe Kay Oct. 11, 2019 01:01 PM EDT