Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder runs from Notre Dame's JD Bertrand (27) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
College Football Picks: Cincinnati rooting for Notre Dame

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 06, 2021 01:05 PM EDT

Penn State returner Jahan Dotson (5) breaks away from Indiana's Jonathan Haynes (17) on a punt return during the fourth quarter of their NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. Penn State defeated Indiana 24-0. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Big Ten powers surge into October

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 04, 2021 03:14 AM EDT

Cincinnati's Leonard Taylor (11) is chased by Notre Dame's JD Bertrand (27) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. Cincinnati won 24-13. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Desmond Ridder, No. 7 Cincinnati beat No. 9 Notre Dame 24-13

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 02, 2021 06:10 PM EDT

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) tries to leap over Notre Dame's Clarence Lewis (6) and Houston Griffith (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Cincinnati at Notre Dame 10/2/2021

Oct. 02, 2021 04:17 PM EDT

Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson scrambles out of the pocket before throwing a pass in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Week 5 preview: Will chaos come to Southeastern Conference?

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 01, 2021 11:52 AM EDT

Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara (12) throws against Northern Illinois in the first half of a NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
No. 14 Michigan aims to stay unbeaten as it visits Wisconsin

By The Associated Press Sep. 30, 2021 03:25 PM EDT

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

Oregon cornerback Mykael Wright (2) celebrates his interception with Oregon safety Verone McKinley III (23) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Andy Nelson)
Interceptions a point of pride for No. 3 Oregon Ducks

By Anne M. Peterson Sep. 29, 2021 06:16 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)
Bearcats coming: Marcus Freeman, Irish defense on the spot

By Caroline Pineda Sep. 29, 2021 04:50 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 7, 2021, file photo, the trophy for the College Football Playoff championship NCAA college football game is displayed along Ocean Drive, in Miami Beach, Fla. The College Football Playoff management committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021, to discuss the feedback members have received from campuses since a 12-team expansion plan was unveiled in June. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
For CFP to expand by 2024, plans need approval in 4 months

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 28, 2021 07:47 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

BYU fans cheer in the second half of an NCAA college football game against South Florida Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/George Frey)
BYU-Notre Dame to play at Allegiant Stadium in Vegas in '22

By The Associated Press Sep. 28, 2021 04:13 PM EDT

Purdue quarterback Jack Plummer (13) throws as Purdue offensive lineman Greg Long (69) blocks Illinois outside linebacker Seth Coleman (49) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in West Lafayette, Ind. (Nikos Frazier/Journal & Courier via AP)
Shoddy quarterback play has Big Ten scrambling for answers

By Michael Marot Sep. 28, 2021 02:08 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

Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett (8), top, gets off a pass as New Hampshire defensive back Caleb Mead (24) pressures during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY: Pitt's Pickett accounts for 6 TDs

By The Associated Press Sep. 25, 2021 08:57 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)
With QB Coan out, No. 12 Irish beat No. 18 Badgers 41-13

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 25, 2021 04:12 PM EDT

Wisconsin defensive end Matt Henningsen sacks Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Coan limps off for No. 12 Notre Dame against Wisconsin

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 25, 2021 02:49 PM EDT

Wisconsin defensive end Matt Henningsen sacks Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Notre Dame at Wisconsin 9/25/2021

Sep. 25, 2021 01:23 PM EDT

Texas A&M quarterback Zach Calzada (10) pass down field against New Mexico during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Week 4 Preview: Hogs-Aggies, Badgers-Irish featured games

By Eric Olson Sep. 24, 2021 01:43 AM EDT