Cincinnati
Notre Dame cornerback TaRiq Bracy signals a missed field goal by Wisconsin place kicker Collin Larsh (19) as holder Conor Schlichting watches during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Chicago. Notre Dame won 41-13. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
No. 7 Cincinnati take big playoff swing at No. 9 Notre Dame

By The Associated Press Sep. 30, 2021 02:49 PM EDT

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly, left, daughter Grace, center, and wife Paqui, celebrate Notre Dame's 41-13 win over Wisconsin after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
No. 7 Cincinnati faces 'measuring stick' against No. 9 Irish

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 30, 2021 01:15 PM EDT

FILE - Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell speaks with quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) prior to an NCAA college football game against Miami (Ohio) in Cincinnati, in this Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, file photo. Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell talks about the opportunity the No. 7 Bearcats have to impress the nation when they travel to South Bend, Indiana, to face No. 9 Notre Dame. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean, File)
No. 7 Bearcats get back to work for No. 9 Notre Dame

Sep. 28, 2021 04:52 PM EDT

Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan, right, scrambles away from pressure by Wisconsin linebacker Jack Sanborn during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Coan's status for No. 9 Irish up in air vs No. 7 Bearcats

By John Fineran Sep. 27, 2021 03:42 PM EDT

North Carolina State's Savion Jackson (90) tackles Clemson's D.J. Uiagalelei (5) as the left leg of Clemson running back Will Shipley (1) gets caught with North Carolina State's Tanner Ingle (10) also defending during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Preseason perception v small sample

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 27, 2021 03:30 AM EDT

Colorado State quarterback Todd Centeio (7) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Ron Johnson)
No. 5 Iowa rallies to defeat Colorado State 24-14

By John Bohnenkamp Sep. 25, 2021 07:21 PM EDT

Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder (9) runs in for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. Cincinnati won 38-24. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
No. 8 Bearcats take big step, next one looms at Notre Dame

By Michael Marot Sep. 19, 2021 02:08 PM EDT

Alabama wide receiver John Metchie III (8) hurdles past Florida defensive players cornerback Kaiir Elam (5), linebacker Ty'Ron Hopper and safety Trey Dean III during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
AP Top 25 Takeaways: Not-so-super superpowers show cracks

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 18, 2021 10:02 PM EDT

Cincinnati quarterback Jack Perry (10) fumbles as he is hit by Indiana's Ryder Anderson (10) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Ridder helps No. 8 Bearcats rally for 38-24 win at Indiana

By Michael Marot Sep. 18, 2021 04:11 PM EDT

Indiana's Peyton Hendershot (86) dives over the goal line for a touchdown against Cincinnati's Bryan Cook (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Cincinnati at Indiana 9/18/2021

Sep. 18, 2021 01:53 PM EDT

Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Maryland at Illinois 9/17/2021

Sep. 17, 2021 09:29 PM EDT

Indiana head coach Tom Allen reacts to the action on the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Idaho, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Hoosiers hoping to derail No. 8 Bearcats playoff hopes

By The Associated Press Sep. 16, 2021 12:54 PM EDT

Penn State running back Noah Cain (21) splits two Ball State defenders on a first half run during an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Penn State defeated Ball State 44-13. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
No. 10 Penn St to test No. 22 Auburn's defense in 'Whiteout'

By Eric Olson Sep. 16, 2021 03:00 AM EDT

Cincinnati running back Jerome Ford (24) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Murray State, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
No. 8 Bearcats sidestep speculation as trip to Indiana looms

By Michael Marot Sep. 16, 2021 03:00 AM EDT

Michigan State running back Jordon Simmons runs against Youngstown State during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 42-14. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
College Football Picks: Big Ten gets 5 big tests in Week 3

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 15, 2021 10:46 AM EDT

Indiana head coach Tom Allen reacts to the action on the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Idaho, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Indiana sticks to plan in up-and-down start, Bearcats next

By Michael Marot Sep. 13, 2021 02:53 PM EDT

Maryland running back Tayon Fleet-Davis (8) dives for a touchdown past Howard defensive back Jalen Smith (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
HOW at Maryland 9/11/2021

Sep. 11, 2021 08:59 PM EDT

Students cheer before an NCAA college football game between Kansas State and Southern Illinois, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Manhattan, Kan.(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Southern Illinois at Kansas State 9/11/2021

Sep. 11, 2021 07:31 PM EDT

A Cincinnati fan holds a sign during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Murray State, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
No. 7 Cincinnati starts slow, then routs Murray State 42-7

By Jeff Wallner Sep. 11, 2021 07:04 PM EDT

Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell, left, and Ahmad Gardner (1) lead players onto the field prior to an NCAA college football game against Murray State, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Murray State at Cincinnati 9/11/2021

Sep. 11, 2021 05:19 PM EDT