In this review, Cincinnati Football wins a Senior Day rout. The Cincinnati Bengals emerge from their bye week with a road win. Plus, big wins for Xavier’s men’s and women’s basketball teams.

Cincinnati Football gets Senior Day blowout win

Cincinnati Football dominated against SMU Football 48-14 last Saturday. Getting the style points and the blowout win national observers want to see from Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bearcats led 42-0 at the end of the third quarter. Quarterback Desmond Ridder had a remarkable Senior Day. With three passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown. Ridder even caught a “Philly Special” style touchdown pass from Jerome Ford. Ford returned after missing last week with an ankle injury.

Cincinnati’s rout win and Oregon Football’s blowout loss to Utah will likely boost the Bearcats. By potentially thrusting them into the top four of this Tuesday’s College Football Playoff rankings. The Bearcats are already ranked fourth in the AP and Coaches polls. Cincinnati would be the first Group of Five school to reach the top four in CFP rankings history.

Next up for Cincinnati, their regular season road finale against ECU Football. Kicking off this Friday at 3:30 PM Eastern on ABC. ECU is a good team that has flown under the radar. Going in with a 5-2 conference and 7-4 overall record. They could give Cincinnati quite a scare. Just as ECU did the last time Cincinnati played at ECU in 2019. Then No.21 Cincinnati escaped East Carolina with a three-point win against then 3-9 ECU.

With a chance to clinch a second-consecutive undefeated regular season. Cincinnati’s playoff push and wanting to head into the AAC Championship Game against Houston Football on a good note. Cincinnati is unlikely to ease up this coming Friday.

Cincinnati Bengals snap two-game losing streak after bye week

The Cincinnati Bengals emerged from their bye week with a win in Las Vegas. Beating the Las Vegas Raiders 32-13 last Sunday. Bengals running back Joe Mixon led the game with two touchdowns. The second touchdown in the fourth quarter effectively secured the win. Ja’Marr Chase scored a touchdown as well. On defense, Eli Apple snagged a pivotal interception late in the fourth quarter. Thwarting the Raiders hopes of chipping a nine-point Bengals lead down.

Despite briefly limping, Joe Burrow had a complete game. Rookie kicker Evan McPherson had perhaps the most complete game of anyone on the field. He was four for four and set a new career-high with a 54-yard field goal. McPherson matched a league record with three 50+ yard field goals; while being three yards away from a fourth.

Next up for the Bengals, a home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers this coming Sunday. Kickoff in that game is set for 1 PM Eastern on CBS.  Who lost in a thrill-ride 41-37 road game against the Los Angeles Chargers last night. Pittsburgh was the only AFC North team to lose in Week 11. With a healthier Steelers roster likely to emerge heading into Sunday. Cincinnati will have a challenging time trying to achieve a season sweep over Pittsburgh. Something the Bengals haven’t achieved since 2009.

The local College Basketball weekly roundup

Xavier Men’s Basketball notched two big wins last week. Beating then no.19 Ohio State Basketball 71-65 last Thursday at home. In part of a rough week for the Big Ten Conference basketball-wise. Xavier also beat 2021 NCAA Tournament participant Norfolk State 88-48 yesterday. The 40-point home win is Xavier’s most dominant performance of the season so far.

4-0 Xavier will spend part of their Thanksgiving week playing in the Preseason NIT Tip-off. Taking on Iowa State Basketball Wednesday night at 7 PM Eastern on ESPNU in Brooklyn, NY. They will play either Memphis or Virginia Tech Basketball this Friday. Either in the third-place game at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN. Or in the title game at 9:30 PM Eastern also on ESPN.

Xavier Women’s Basketball won for the first time this season on Sunday. Beating Valparaiso Basketball 70-49 at now 1-3 Xavier’s Cintas Center. Earlier last week, Xavier lost their home opener to Miami (Ohio) Basketball. Xavier will be on the road this week. Facing Wright State Wednesday and Easten Kentucky Saturday. Both games are set to tip-off at 2 PM Eastern on ESPN+.

Cincinnati Men’s Basketball won in back-to-back home blowouts last week. Beating Alabama A&M 89-66 last Tuesday and Presbyterian Basketball 79-45 last Thursday. Cincinnati will face their heftiest test before the Crosstown Shootout tonight. Facing No.14 Illinois Basketball tonight in the Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City, MO. Tonight’s tip-off is set for 6:30 PM Eastern on ESPN News.

On Tuesday, Cincinnati will play Arkansas or Kansas State Basketball. Either in the championship game at 9:30 PM Eastern on ESPN2. Or the consolation gm at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN News. Cincinnati will wrap up their week playing Monmouth Basketball . In a home game this Saturday at 2 PM Eastern on ESPN+.

Cincinnati Women’s Basketball lost at home to Ohio 73-62 last Tuesday. Then lost on the road against Utah Basketball 78-45 last Friday. Cincinnati’s women’s team will host Western Carolina Tuesday on ESPN+. The Bearcats will face Ohio State in Columbus this Saturday. Tuesday and Friday’s games are set to tip-off at 6 PM Eastern time.

Northern Kentucky Men’s Basketball notched a 74-73 home win over Eastern Michigan last Thursday. In their opening game of the Blue Demon Classic. The classic continues tonight at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN+. With the NKU Norse hosting Western Illinois Basketball. Northern Kentucky’s run in the classic wraps up this Friday in Chicago. Taking on DePaul Basketball at 5 PM Eastern on FS2.

NKU Women’s Basketball began Horizon League play last week. Starting off their conference schedule with back-to-back road games in Wisconsin. NKU beat Green Bay 61-52 last Thursday. Then lost 61-49 to Milwaukee last Saturday. The NKU Norse will shift back to non-conference play this week. Facing Miami (Ohio) in Oxford, OH Wednesday at 6 PM Eastern. Then playing Central Arkansas on the road Saturday at 2 PM Eastern.

Jonathan India wins NL Rookie of the Year Award

Cincinnati Reds infielder Jonathan India won the Jackie Robinson National League Rookie of the Year award last Monday. In perhaps the least surprising headline on the Cincinnati sports beat last week. India was seen as the favorite for that award for most of the season. He’s the first Red to win rookie of the year since 1999. When pitcher Scott Williamson won the award.

Other Reds to win this award are Chris Sabo, Pat Zachry, Johnny Bench, Tommy Helms, Pete Rose and Frank Robinson. India won 29 out 30 first-place votes and one second place vote. Miami Marlins player Trevor Rogers was the only other player to get a first-place vote. Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson and pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez received third place votes.

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!