Luke Fickell
Georgia quarterback JT Daniels (18) throws a pass against South Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: No. 1 rarely slips after ranked win

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 20, 2021 03:35 AM 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

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

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

Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell speaks with quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) prior to an NCAA college football game against Miami (Ohio), Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Analysis: USC coaching search casts shadow over season

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 14, 2021 02:31 AM EDT

Southern California head coach Clay Helton walks on the sideline during an NCAA college football game against San Jose State Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
USC fires Clay Helton 2 games into 7th season in charge

By Greg Beacham Sep. 13, 2021 05:25 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

FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, file photo, a Big 12 Conference logo is displayed on a goal line pylon before Duquesne played TCU in an NCAA college football game, in Fort Worth, Texas. The Big 12 has extended membership invitations to BYU, UCF, Cincinnati and Houston to join the Power Five league. That comes in advance of the league losing Oklahoma and Texas to the Southeastern Conference. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins, File)
A glance at new Big 12 schools BYU, UCF, Cincinnati, Houston

By The Associated Press Sep. 10, 2021 11:54 AM EDT

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder drops back for a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Miami (Ohio), Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
No. 7 Bearcats focus on Murray State with bigger tests ahead

By The Associated Press Sep. 09, 2021 01:13 PM EDT

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder drops back for a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Miami (Ohio), Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Fickell wants focus of No. 7 Bearcats on Murray State

By Jeff Wallner Sep. 09, 2021 12:57 PM EDT

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) throws a pass during the first half an NCAA college football game against Miami (Ohio), Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Miami (OH) at Cincinnati 9/4/2021

Sep. 04, 2021 04:57 PM EDT

FILE - Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Houston in Cincinnati, in this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, file photo. Ridder returns for his senior season, looking to add to his 6,905 career passing yards and 57 career touchdowns, but also to take on more of a leadership role. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster, File)
No. 8 Cincinnati, Miami renew rivalry after pandemic break

By Jeff Wallner Sep. 02, 2021 12:35 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 21, 2020 file photo, Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder looks for a receiver as Central Florida defensive back Corey Thornton (14) pursues during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Orlando, Fla. The defending American Athletic Conference champions are the overwhelming favorite to repeat. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Present-day AAC focus for No. 8 Cincinnati over future talk

By Stephen Hawkins Aug. 23, 2021 01:36 PM EDT

FILE - Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Houston in Cincinnati, in this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, file photo. Ridder returns for his senior season, looking to add to his 6,905 career passing yards and 57 career touchdowns, but also to take on more of a leadership role. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster, File)
Ridder and No. 8 Cincinnati hope to crash playoff party

By Jeff Wallner Aug. 20, 2021 12:48 PM EDT

Matt Salerno is shown during Notre Dame NCAA college football practice in South Bend, Ind., Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. (Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune via AP)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: How often do ranked teams flop?

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 17, 2021 02:29 AM EDT

AP Top 25: Quick look at rankings from Alabama to Arizona St

By The Associated Press Aug. 16, 2021 02:55 PM EDT
AP preseason Top 25 capsules: —- No. 1 ALABAMA Coach: Nick Saban, 15th season. ...