Cincinnati Bearcats make history in fourth College Football Playoff rankings

The Cincinnati Bearcats made history Tuesday night as the first Group of 5 team to be ranked in the top 4 of the College Football Playoff rankings. The CFP rankings will be significantly impacted by the outcomes of Rivalry Week and Championship Week, but Luke Fickell’s squad is in a great position to potentially make the CFP.

Cincinnati moving up to No. 4 was the talk of Tuesday night.

Kirk Herbstreit reacts to Cincinnati being at No. 4 in the CFP rankings. 🏈 pic.twitter.com/HHmh4zReLt

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 24, 2021

As one might expect, college football media can’t help itself from rooting for an underdog (er, undercat) story. Here’s a small sample of the excitement surrounding Cincy’s new ranking:

Cincinnati finally becomes the first G5 team in history to be ranked No. 4 or better. That's awesome.

— RJ Young (@RJ_Young) November 24, 2021

Said this four weeks ago:
Cincinnati is getting in if it wins out.

— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) November 24, 2021

Just my opinion, but I don’t think the committee would put an 11-0 team in the top four and later drop them out after a top-25 win.

I feel like undefeated Cincinnati gets in now. But a Georgia win over Alabama would really help.

— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) November 24, 2021

Disagree with Kirk. 12-1 Big 12 champ Oklahoma State with three Top 15 wins would definitely pass Cincinnati.

Less sure about OU b/c of the hole they've dug.

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 24, 2021

CINCINNATI MAKES THE TOP FOUR! Only one thing left to do, Bearcats: pic.twitter.com/jw2wQNTQTb

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 24, 2021

Cincinnati finally being in the top 4 of the CFP rankings pic.twitter.com/LYlixrpjWt

— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) November 24, 2021

CINCY!! GUYS WE DID IT.

— Paige (@ThatSportsPaige) November 24, 2021

JUSTICE FOR CINCINNATI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

— Mia O'Brien (@MiaOBrienTV) November 24, 2021

Cincinnati faces East Carolina and then No. 24 Houston in the AAC Championship Game.

SDS Staff

Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.