College Football Playoff Rankings 2019: Projected final Top 25
By Zach Bigalke
830. Pick Analysis. 10-3/AAC. lost 29-24 at No. 17 Memphis (AAC CG in Memphis). Cincinnati Bearcats. 24. player. Scouting Report
Cincinnati headed back to Memphis a week after losing to the Tigers to play an instant rematch for the American Athletic Conference championship. When the Bearcats went ahead 24-23 with less than five minutes remianing, they looked poised to snatch the crown. But the No. 17 Tigers scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:14 remaining to win 29-24. The loss won’t drop Cincinnati completely out of the College Football Playoff Top 25, but they will fall to the cusp of the precipice.
Desmond Ridder was back on the field after missing the previous loss to Memphis. Ridder threw for 233 yards and ran for another 113 yards and a score, but the quarterback went just 16-of-36 through the air and threw an interception. Michael Warren II ran for 99 yards and a pair of scores, adding one catch out of the backfield. Eleven penalties doomed the Bearcats, though, as they lost 70 yards to flags.
At 10-3, Cincinnati still put together an impressive season and can win 11 games for the second straight year if they prevail in their bowl game. After missing out on a trip to the Cotton Bowl, the Bearcats are likely headed to the Military Bowl or the Birmingham Bowl to face off against a Power Five opponent from either the ACC or SEC.