Reactions: Cincinnati Bearcats remain No. 4 in latest College Football Playoff rankings
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As Sunday's final College Football Playoff rankings show - which will reveal the four participants in the CFP semifinals Dec. 31 - approaches, the Cincinnati Bearcats remain No. 4 in the CFP selection committee's latest rankings release.
With 12-0 Georgia, 11-1 Michigan and 11-1 Alabama ahead of them, the Bearcats are looking to become the first Group of Five team ever invited to the semifinals.
UC does have unfinished business ahead of the final rankings release with an American Athletic Conference title-game showdown against Houston scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m. at Nippert Stadium.
On ESPN's "SportsCenter" late Tuesday, Scott Van Pelt asked Rece Davis whether he thought the semifinalists would be Georgia, Michigan, Cincinnati and Oklahoma State if UGA beats Alabama, the Wolverines beat Iowa, UC beats Houston and the Cowboys beat Baylor.
"I don't see any scenario of anything that would change that. Notre Dame's not going to jump them. Alabama's not going to stay in the top four if they lose to Georgia. So I do think it's absolutely just as simple as you said in that scenario," Davis said.
Social media reactions to the new rankings:
Cincinnati stays at No. 4 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings.
1. Georgia (12-0)
2. Michigan (11-1)
3. Alabama (11-1)
4. Cincinnati (12-0)*
5. OK St (11-1)
6. ND (11-1)
7. Ohio St (10-2)
21. Houston (11-1)*
*HOU vs. CIN in AAC title game - 4 p.m. Sat. on ABC— Keith Jenkins (@MrKeithJenkins) December 1, 2021
CFP conclusions:
-- Oklahoma State, now one spot behind Cincy, will jump them with a Top 10 win.
-- Can't see ND making it. More likely Alabama and/or Michigan stays ahead of them with a loss.
-- Ohio State and Ole Miss have locked up NY6 berths. Mich St. needs Iowa to lose.— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) December 1, 2021
The final College Football Playoff rankings before the *real* ones reveal a big jump to No. 2 for @UMichFootball. pic.twitter.com/2xKNGyp8IH
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) December 1, 2021
And now Gary Barta says on ESPN that for the final rankings, their protocol does include considering "a player or a coach not being available."
Hoo boy, Brian Kelly.— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) December 1, 2021
BACK TO BACK WEEKS AT #4‼️
The #Bearcats hold their spot in the @CFBPlayoff rankings as they prepare for the conference championship. pic.twitter.com/26sd2RfBOx— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) December 1, 2021
4️⃣
12-0 @GoBearcatsFB holds its place in the final @CFBPlayoff rankings of the regular season. They'll face #21 Houston on Saturday at Nippert Stadium. pic.twitter.com/8jCR69hJDd— Cincinnati Bearcats (@GoBEARCATS) December 1, 2021
Cincinnati, sitting at No. 4, five days away from Selection Sunday: pic.twitter.com/Zu1VLGLrLf
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) December 1, 2021
I think you can put to rest the idea of ND making the Playoff with an interim coach.
I fail to see how a team goes from No. 6 to No. 4 without playing another game. They needed to be right on the cusp.— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) December 1, 2021
Barta dodges question about the solidity of Cincinnati's No. 4 spot.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) December 1, 2021
There are six true contenders for the College Football Playoff. @DanWolken breaks down the latest rankings and the path for each of the six teams to make the top four. pic.twitter.com/Tk6BzekldX
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) December 1, 2021
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bearcats remain No. 4 in College Football Playoff rankings
