James Wiggins
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones passes against Ohio State during the second half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Wrapping up 2020, looking to 2021

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 12, 2021 12:29 PM EST

Georgia wide receiver George Pickens (1) is hit by Cincinnati cornerback Arquon Bush (9) during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football game, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
No. 6 Cincinnati comes up short as unbeaten season ends

By George Henry Jan. 01, 2021 06:35 PM EST

Georgia place kicker Jack Podlesny (96) and offensive player of the game, holds the championship tropy after the Peach Bowl NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in Atlanta. Georgia won 22-21. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Podlesny's FG lifts Georgia past Cincinnati in Peach Bowl

By Charles Odum Jan. 01, 2021 04:14 PM EST

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder runs for a touchdown against Memphis during the first half of an NCAA college football game for the American Athletic Conference championship Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder is known for his dual-threat skills. JT Daniels has used his arm strength to add balance to Georgia's attack.The two quarterbacks also boast impressive football intelligence, and that may be the biggest reason neither has lost a game as a starter this season as they prepare to meet in Friday's Peach Bowl.(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Unbeaten No. 6 Cincinnati to face No. 11 Georgia in Peach

By The Associated Press Dec. 31, 2020 12:47 PM EST

Northwestern defensive back Brandon Joseph celebrates after intercepting a pass in the end zone during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Indianapolis. Joseph was selected to The Associated Press All-America first-team defense, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
2020 AP All-America Team

By The Associated Press Dec. 28, 2020 12:36 PM EST

FILE - Brigham Young offensive lineman Brady Christensen (67) is shown in action in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., in this Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, file photo. Christensen was selected to The Associated Press All-America first-team offense, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Alabama's Jones, Smith, Harris lead 6 Tide AP All-Americans

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 28, 2020 12:00 PM EST

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder throws a pass during the first half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game against Tulsa, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
No. 6 Cincinnati beats No. 20 Tulsa in rainy AAC title game

By Jeff Wallner Dec. 20, 2020 12:18 AM EST

Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle, left, outruns Central Florida linebacker Eriq Gilyard (10) on his way to a 29-yard touchdown on a pass play during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Cincinnati at UCF 11/21/2020

Nov. 21, 2020 05:33 PM EST

East Carolina linebacker Xavier Smith, left, defends as Cincinnati wide receiver Jordan Jones, middle, jumps over East Carolina defensive back Jireh Wilson during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Ridder, No. 7 Cincinnati roll over East Carolina, 55-17

By Jeff Wallner Nov. 13, 2020 11:20 PM EST

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) looks to throw against Memphis during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Cincinnati. (Photo by Gary Landers)
Ridder drives No. 7 Bearcats to 49-10 rout of Memphis

Oct. 31, 2020 03:30 PM EDT

Cincinnati wide receiver Alec Pierce (12) catches a touchdown pass in front of Memphis defensive back John Broussard Jr. (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Cincinnati. (Photo by Gary Landers)
Memphis at Cincinnati 10/31/2020

Oct. 31, 2020 01:51 PM EDT

Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell works the sideline during an NCAA college football game against South Florida, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Cincinnati. No. 8 Cincinnati's game at Tulsa on Saturday has been postponed because of positive COVID-19 tests among Bearcats players. The American Athletic Conference announced Thursday, Oct. 15, the game is being rescheduled for Dec. 5. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster, File)
No. 9 Cincinnati at No. 16 SMU for 1st Top 25 campus matchup

By The Associated Press Oct. 22, 2020 03:10 PM EDT

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder rolls out of the pocket during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against UCLA on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Cincinnati. (Kareem Elgazzar/The Cincinnati Enquirer via AP)
Warren, Ridder lead Bearcats to 24-14 win over UCLA

Aug. 29, 2019 10:42 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 1, 2018, file photo, Memphis coach Mike Norvell watches the scoreboard during the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game against Central Florida, in Orlando, Fla. Norvell has produced explosive offenses at Memphis. The Tigers ranked seventh in scoring (42.9) last season and second (45.5) in 2017. But they haven’t been as good on the other side of the ball. Memphis ranked 94th in scoring defense (31.9) last year and 102nd (32.5) in 2017. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Fertile ground for turnarounds, who is next to surge in AAC?

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 15, 2019 12:19 PM EDT

Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa throws during the first half the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Clemson, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
AP Top 25 Heat Check: Wrapping up 2018 with eye toward 2019

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 08, 2019 12:30 PM EST

Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Luke Fickell talks into the headset during a timeout in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, against East Carolina Friday, Nov. 23, 2018, in Cincinnati. (Kareem Elgazzar/The Cincinnati Enquirer via AP)
Ridder throws 4 TDs as Cincinnati routs East Carolina 56-6

By Joe Kay Nov. 23, 2018 06:51 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 19, 2016, file photo, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer, left, and Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio shake hands after the Spartans won 17-16 in NCAA college football game in East Lansing, Mich. Ohio State visits Michigan State needing a win to stay on track for a Big Ten East showdown with Michigan in two weeks. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)
College Football Picks: Mich. St, Auburn try to play spoiler

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 07, 2018 02:00 PM EST

Fighter jets fly over Nippert Stadium during the national anthem before an NCAA college football game between Cincinnati and Navy, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Cincinnati's run defense throttles Navy's option in 42-0 win

By Joe Kay Nov. 03, 2018 07:03 PM EDT

No. 17 Houston looking to avoid another ranked loss at SMU

Nov. 02, 2018 11:52 AM EDT
DALLAS (AP) — SMU has only one win over a ranked team the past seven years. That is a game Houston certainly remembers. The No. 17 Cougars (7-1, 4-0...

Wiggins pick-6 in OT lifts Cincinnati past SMU 26-20

Oct. 27, 2018 07:58 PM EDT
DALLAS (AP) — James Wiggins returned an interception 86 yards for a touchdown in overtime, giving Cincinnati a 26-20 win over Southern Methodist on Saturday...