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College Football Playoff: Making case for undefeated non-Power 5 teams

By Andrew Tineo

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 16: Zach Wilson #1 of the BYU Cougars celebrates after the game against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium on October 16, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 16: Zach Wilson #1 of the BYU Cougars celebrates after the game against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium on October 16, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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Nov 7, 2020; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) celebrates after running in his third touchdown of the night in the fourth quarter of the American Athletic Conference football game between the University of Houston Cougars and the University of Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. The Bearcats continued their undefeated campaign with a 38-10 win over Houston. Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene-USA TODAY NETWORK
Nov 7, 2020; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) celebrates after running in his third touchdown of the night in the fourth quarter of the American Athletic Conference football game between the University of Houston Cougars and the University of Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. The Bearcats continued their undefeated campaign with a 38-10 win over Houston. Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene-USA TODAY NETWORK /

Making the case for Cincinnati

Coming into the season, Cincinnati was ranked the highest among these teams and had the highest expectations coming into 2020. What they have done this year is nothing short of what is expected out of a powerhouse program. The Bearcats have given up more than 13 points only once this season and just smashed No. 16 SMU in Dallas, 42-13.

The Bearcats rank fifth in the nation in points per game allowed at 11.1. They are led by senior linebacker Jarell White who has 58 tackles and six for loss on the season. The leader in the secondary has been Ahmad Gardner, who is coming off a stellar freshman season and is turning into the captain of the secondary. After grabbing three interceptions last year, he has matched that total this year, alongside four pass deflections.

The offense hasn’t been bad either, led by a ground game of running back Gerrid Doaks and mobile quarterback Desmond Ridder. Both of them have combined for 15 touchdowns, along with over 900 yards rushing. Although Ridder can be turnover-prone, he is OK when throwing the football. He has 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns to go along with his six interceptions.

An area of improvement the Bearcats can make up in is being a more efficient passing team. Limiting turnovers and getting playmakers like wide receivers Michael Young and Tre Tucker in space.

The disrespect for Cincinnati has not been more apparent than this past week, when they blew out Houston in primetime, 38-10. The AP and Coaches Polls would then move the Bearcats down to No. 7, getting jumped by Florida and Texas A&M. Although, Florida jumping Cincinnati is understandable, Texas A&M is questionable, although they have beaten the Gators.

The unfortunate part for the Bearcats is that the toughest games are behind them. They do have a road trip against UCF, that will be a game to keep an eye on. Cincinnati does not have a true one of a kind playmaker and doesn’t have anyone getting national attention. That, along with the fact that their schedule is not getting any tougher, may be their downfall.

Cincinnati is the highest-ranked non-Power Five team at the moment and it wins with offense and defense. With that alone, if Cincinnati runs the table, there’s a 20 percent chance it makes the playoff.

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