Desmond Ridder
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart celebrates winning the College Football Playoff Championship game against Alabama, getting a hoist from outside linebacker Bolan Smith, early Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Final rankings and future prospects

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 11, 2022 12:11 PM EST

FILE - Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner (1) celebrates an interception of a Murray State pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game Sept. 11, 2021, in Cincinnati. Gardner, an Associated Press All-American who hasn't given up a touchdown in his college career, still has to declare for the draft. But he generally projects higher than any of his teammates, so that decision seems clear. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)
Cincinnati's Ford, Gardner departing early for NFL draft

By Mitch Stacy Jan. 04, 2022 01:48 PM EST

Alabama's Jahleel Billingsley (19) leaps over Cincinnati's Ja'von Hicks (3) during the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Run Tide! No. 1 Bama over non-P5 Cincy 27-6 in CFP semi

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 31, 2021 07:14 PM EST

Alabama running back Trey Sanders (6) runs for a first down against Cincinnati during the second half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Ridder, breakthrough Bearcats stall in 27-6 loss to Alabama

By Schuyler Dixon Dec. 31, 2021 07:07 PM EST

FILE - Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) looks to pass from the pocket during the first half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game against Houston Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. The fourth-ranked Bearcats (13-0) get their shot in the CFP semifinal Cotton Bowl on Friday, Dec. 31 against No. 1 defending national champion Alabama. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)
Non-P5 Cincy takes CFP journey to Cotton semi against Bama

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 30, 2021 02:38 PM EST

FILE - Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9) warms up as offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien, left, watches before an NCAA college football game against Florida, on Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. Young views the Heisman Trophy as about what he and Alabama have already done, not what the top-ranked Crimson Tide are still trying to accomplish in his first season as their starting quarterback. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
No. 1 Alabama faces upstart Bearcats in Cotton Bowl CFP semi

By The Associated Press Dec. 30, 2021 12:18 PM EST

FILE - Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner (1) celebrates an interception of a Murray State pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game Sept. 11, 2021, in Cincinnati. Gardner, an Associated Press All-American who hasn't given up a touchdown in his college career, still has to declare for the draft. But he generally projects higher than any of his teammates, so that decision seems clear. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)
Cincinnati showcases names to keep in mind for NFL draft

By Schuyler Dixon Dec. 30, 2021 02:05 AM EST

FILE - Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle makes a catch against South Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. College teams haven't quite unlocked the full potential of the position as effectively as the pros, but Friday, Dec. 31 College Football Playoff with No. 1 Alabama facing No. 4 Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl will put players with potential to be part of the next wave of dominate tight ends on display. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
Tight ends take center stage in College Football Playoff

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 29, 2021 02:17 PM EST

FILE - Cincinnati running back Jerome Ford (24) carries the ball as he breaks a tackle against UCF linebacker Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Cincinnati. For Cincinnati (13-0), a member of the second-tier American Athletic Conference, the planets aligned. The Bearcats landed as the No. 4 seed in the CFP, invading the domain of college football's blue bloods. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster, File)
Bearcats RB Jerome Ford sheds 'the Alabama transfer' label

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 28, 2021 04:50 PM EST

Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) passes the ball against Alabama during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Georgia coordinator: 'No doubt' Bennett is championship QB

By Charles Odum Dec. 28, 2021 11:42 AM EST

Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell coaches his players during practice for the Cotton Bowl NCAA football game, Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Breakthrough Bearcats ready for CFP semi against champ Bama

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 27, 2021 07:37 PM EST

Michigan running back Blake Corum (2) runs from Iowa defensive back Jermari Harris (27) during the second half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Double duty: Lanning leads Georgia D, preps for Oregon job

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 27, 2021 05:26 PM EST

FILE - Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell prepares to take players onto the field prior to an NCAA college football game against Miami (Ohio) Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. For Cincinnati (13-0), a member of the second-tier American Athletic Conference, the planets aligned. The Bearcats landed as the No. 4 seed in the CFP, invading the domain of college football's blue bloods. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)
Cincinnati climbs CFP mountain, but can it stay there?

By Mitch Stacy Dec. 23, 2021 11:34 AM EST

Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher walks the sideline during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)
Amid signing day chaos, SEC powers grab top recruits

By Eric Olson Dec. 15, 2021 06:38 PM EST

2021 Heisman Trophy Voting

Dec. 11, 2021 09:37 PM EST
Voting for the 2021 Heisman Trophy with first-, second- and third-place votes and total points (voting on 3-2-1 basis): Player 1st 2nd 3rd Total ...

Cincinnati defensive lineman Curtis Brooks (92) celebrates with teammates after making a stop on third down during the second half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game against Houston Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Bearcats vs Tide: Cotton Bowl CFP semifinal at a glance

By The Associated Press Dec. 05, 2021 04:09 PM EST

Cincinnati's Bryon Threats (10) celebrates after defeating Houston in the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Bearcats break through, No. 1 Alabama awaits in Cotton Bowl

By Stephen Hawkins Dec. 05, 2021 02:23 PM EST

Cincinnati running back Jerome Ford carries the ball during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against SMU, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY: Young leads Tide over Georgia

By The Associated Press Dec. 04, 2021 08:49 PM EST

Cincinnati wide receiver Tyler Scott, center, catches a pass for a touchdown during the first half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game against Houston Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
No. 3 Cincinnati claims AAC crown, possible playoff spot

By Jeff Wallner Dec. 04, 2021 07:38 PM EST

Alabama head coach Nick Saban leaves the field after the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game between Georgia and Alabama, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. Alabama won 41-24. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
CFP Takeaways: Bearcats belong; Tide proves doubters wrong

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 04, 2021 06:54 PM EST