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CFP Rankings 2021, Top 10: Week 12 recap, previewing week 13

By Mitch Kaiser

Oct 16, 2021; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs mascot UGA in his dog house during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2021; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs mascot UGA in his dog house during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 20, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) throws a pass against the Southern Methodist Mustangs in the first half at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) throws a pass against the Southern Methodist Mustangs in the first half at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Cincinnati (11-0)

Week 12 result: Defeated SMU 48-14

This was the game we’ve been waiting for out of the Bearcats in the past few weeks. Everything finally came together for Cincinnati as they blew out SMU.

They looked amazing right from the very beginning as their first offensive play was a 53-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Scott. Some people were worried about this game and thought the Bearcats had a chance to lose against a good SMU team. But they took care of business and proved that they should be considered as one of the best teams in the country.

This was the best game I’ve seen out of Desmond Ridder all season long. He got the offense rolling spreading the ball around to seven different receivers. Wide receiver Tre Tucker easily had his best game of the year going for seven catches and 114 yards which earned him a PFF grade of 90.4.

For as good as the offense was in this game, their defense might have been more impressive. SMU came into this one as one of the top passing offenses in the entire country. That passing attack was absolutely shut down by the Bearcats. They were held to 66 total passing yards on 26 attempts. The combination of Ahmad Gardner, Coby Bryant, and Ja’von Hicks has proved to be an elite secondary that can stop just about anything thrown at them.

Next game: vs. East Carolina
My prediction: Win 37-19

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