Cincinnati to CFP? Social media weighs in following Bearcats’ huge win at Notre Dame

Cincinnati may have just proved that it should be in the College Football Playoff conversation this year.

On Saturday, the No. 7 Bearcats notched an impressive 24-13 victory at No. 9 Notre Dame, snapping the Fighting Irish’s 26-game home winning streak. Cincinnati built a 17-0 lead by halftime and didn’t allow any points until the final 2 minutes of the third quarter. It held on for the win as senior quarterback Desmond Ridder sealed it with a 6-yard touchdown run with 5 minutes, 8 seconds to go.

There’s never been a Group of 5 team to reach the CFP, but that could change if the Bearcats (4-0) continue on this trajectory. They have a strong chance to end the regular season undefeated, as none of the final 8 opponents on their schedule are currently ranked.

Here’s some reaction from social media to Cincinnati’s statement victory and its bid for the CFP:

Cincinnati will absolutely be in the playoff conversation in two months.

— Brandon Walker (@BFW) October 2, 2021

If they keep this up, Cincinnati is deserving of a playoff spot

— SoulLowSlow (@SoulLowSlow) October 2, 2021

If a non P5 team doesn’t make the CFB Playoffs this year (Cincinnati), I don’t know that it will ever happen in a four team format.

— Karthik Venkataraman (@KarthikV_) October 2, 2021

Cincinnati making the college football playoffs you heard it here first

— ron the don (@rgrjiii) October 2, 2021

With Cincinnati pulling away, it'll now be fascinating to see how the committee finds a way to still put Notre Dame into the playoff (over Cincinnati, et al)

— Dave Dameshek (@Dameshek) October 2, 2021

The University of Cincinnati is very good and has talent all over the field. Very well may end up in the Playoff!

— Eric Frazier (@EricFrazier2) October 2, 2021

If Cincinnati wins this game and wins out, they absolutely better be in the playoff.

— College Sports Superfan (@eisner_ryan) October 2, 2021

If there was ever a year to let a non power 5 team into the playoffs this the year. Put Cincy in and see what they got. #Cincinnati

— Justin Cummins (@jcummins_24) October 2, 2021

College football is rigged if this Cincinnati team doesn’t make the CFP.

— David Wysong (@DavidWysong_) October 2, 2021

If a Group of 5 team is ever going to be a real CFP contender in the current model, it's this year's Cincinnati team. But it has to prove right now, on this drive, that it belongs.

— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) October 2, 2021

Okay I have 3 BOLD predictions for the CFP this year:
1. A 2 loss team will make the playoff
2. Cincinnati will make the playoff
3. All four teams in the CFP will have at least one lost

— Jacob Mason (@jacob_mason75) October 2, 2021

https://twitter.com/ryan_schira24/status/1444398647450427396

Jake Rill

Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.