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Group of Five New Year’s Six Watch, Week 6: Cincinnati won weekend

By Dante Pryor

Cincinnati Bearcats defensive lineman Curtis Brooks (92) celebrates after a 4th down stop in the fourth quarter of the NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind. Cincinnati Bearcats defeated Notre Dame Fighting Irish 24-13.Cincinnati Bearcats At Notre Dame Fighting Irish 237
Cincinnati Bearcats defensive lineman Curtis Brooks (92) celebrates after a 4th down stop in the fourth quarter of the NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind. Cincinnati Bearcats defeated Notre Dame Fighting Irish 24-13.Cincinnati Bearcats At Notre Dame Fighting Irish 237 /
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Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) holds up the ball after the NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct 2, 2021, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind. Cincinnati Bearcats defeated Notre Dame Fighting Irish 24-13.Cincinnati Bearcats At Notre Dame Fighting Irish 221
Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) holds up the ball after the NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct 2, 2021, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind. Cincinnati Bearcats defeated Notre Dame Fighting Irish 24-13.Cincinnati Bearcats At Notre Dame Fighting Irish 221 /

1. Cincinnati Bearcats (4-0)

They came. They saw. They conquered. The Cincinnati Bearcats went to Notre Dame and took advantage of shaky quarterback play and a beat-up offense line to defeat the Irish 24-13.

Desmond Ridder played well, throwing for 297 yards and two touchdowns, chipping in 26 rushing yards, and a touchdown on the ground.

The defense took advantage of poor quarterback play, forcing two interceptions. Cincinnati’s defense was able to pressure the quarterback because of the Irish’s offensive line’s injuries.

The game was a close to a must-win as you can get in college football since the only other ranked opponent on the Bearcats’ schedule is SMU. There is no guarantee the Mustangs will be ranked when they play Cincy.

What does this mean for the Bearcats? Cincinnati came into the season as the frontrunner to represent the Group of Five in the New Year’s Six. The Bearcats played the Bulldogs tough in the Peach Bowl, losing 24-21.

With the number of players returning for the Bearcats (specifically on offense) and playing in the American, Cincinnati was the favorite coming into the season.

They have not disappointed so far, especially with the Notre Dame win. Does that mean the Bearcats are going to make the College Football Playoff?

The short answer is no, but they can make the New Year’s Six and win.

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