In this review, Cincinnati sports fans were left with plenty to be thankful for throughout Thanksgiving week. From two big victories for the University of Cincinnati. To a shift in direction for the Cincinnati Bengals.

The football review

The tide is turning in one of the National Football League’s most heated divisional rivalries. The Cincinnati Bengals clinched a season sweep over the Pittsburgh Steelers yesterday. Through Cincinnati’s 41-10 win at Cincinnati’s Paul Brown Stadium. Marking the Bengals third-consecutive win over the Steelers. Sunday’s win matched the second-largest margin of victory for the Bengals against the Steelers. Matching a 41-10 Bengals win in 1989.

Cincinnati won thanks to a career day for Bengals running back Joe Mixon. Through 28 carries, he amassed 165 of the Bengals 198 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns. While Chris Evans’ 23 rushing yards matched Pittsburgh’s game-leading rusher Najee Harris. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow scored a rushing touchdown in the game’s opening drive. Burrow also connected with Tee Higgins for the Bengals’ lone passing touchdown in the second quarter.

The Bengals also scored through a tone-setting pick six. Coming immediately after a chippy moment between the two teams. There was a comparably mild scuffle after Pittsburgh’s Mika Fitzpatrick intercepted a Burrow pass intended for Higgins. The 24 yard pick six by Mike Hilton happened a play later. Hilton’s touchdown and the extra point gave the Bengals 31-3 lead they would take into halftime.

Bengals cornerback Eli Apple also snagged an interception in the first quarter. Marking Apple’s second interception in as many games. Apple took it all the way to Pittsburgh’s five-yard line. Despite that, the Bengals were left to settle for a successful Evan McPherson field goal. The Pro Bowl worthy rookie kicker McPherson later made a game-high 51 yard field goal. While making all five Bengals point after attempts.

The 7-4 Bengals remain deep in the playoff hunt heading out of November. While the 5-5-1 Steelers have put their playoff hopes are on shaky ground. The Bengals are in second place in the AFC North. Just one game behind the division-leading Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore beat the third place Cleveland Browns 16-10 in Baltimore last night. While the Steelers are in last place in the division. The Bengals would be the AFC’s top wild-card team if the NFL Playoffs began today.

Next up for the Bengals, a home game against the AFC West contending Los Angeles Chargers. The 6-5 Chargers are a game behind their division-leading Kansas City Chiefs. Los Angeles would be the No.7 seed if the playoffs began today. This Coming Sunday’s Bengals vs. Chargers game is set to kick-off at 1 PM Eastern on CBS.

In College Football, the Cincinnati Bearcats wrapped up their second ever 12-0 regular season last Friday. Beating East Carolina Football 35-13 on the road. Last Tuesday marked another milestone for Cincinnati Football. The Bearcats finally reached the top four in the College Football Playoff Rankings. Becoming the first Group of Five Conference program to do so. Cincinnati ranked No.4 in the CFP rankings.

The Bearcats are likely to stay No.4 or potentially move up this week. Due to No.5 Michigan Football beating No.2 Ohio State in The Big Game last Saturday in Ann Arbor, MI. Big Ten Championship Game bound Michigan might move up to No.2 in this week’s CFP rankings. Michigan moved up from No.6 in last week’s AP and Coaches polls. To No.2 in the AP and No.3 in the Coaches poll this week.

After being a consensus No.4 last week, Cincinnati remains fourth in the coaches and third in this week’s AP Poll. Cincinnati’s playoff hopes now depend on their performance in the American Athletic Conference Championship game. Through winning last Friday, Cincinnati clinched home field advantage for that game. Cincinnati will host 11-1 Houston Football for the AAC championship. Which is set to kick-off Saturday at 4 PM Eastern on ABC. Houston and Cincinnati didn’t meet in the regular season and both went 8-0 in conference play. This will be Cincinnati’s third-consecutive AAC Championship Game appearance and second-consecutive time hosting the game.

The local College Basketball weekly roundup

Amid a big week for Cincinnati Bearcats Football; Cincinnati Men’s Basketball had a big victory of their own. Beating then No.14 Illinois Basketball 71-51 last Monday. In the semifinals of the Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City, MO. Cincinnati trailed early and then surged ahead to take a three-point lead into halftime. Cincinnati then outpaced Illinois 37-20 in the second half.

After the big win last Monday, Cincinnati wrapped up the week with back-to-back losses. Losing the Hall of Fame Classic title game to No.13 Arkansas Basketball 73-67 last Tuesday. On Saturday, the Bearcats lost 61-59 at home against Monmouth Basketball. That game featured a match-up between Cincinnati head coach Wes Miller and his younger brother Monmouth player Walker Miller. Walker matched Cincinnati’s leading scorer David DeJulius with 13 points. This week, Cincinnati will face Miami (Ohio) Basketball in Oxford Wednesday and will host Bryant Sunday. Both games are set to tip off at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN+.

Xavier Basketball began last week ranked No.25 in the AP Top 25. The Xavier Musketeers lost to Iowa State Basketball 82-70 last Wednesday. In their opening game of the NIT Season Tip-Off in Brooklyn, NY. Then won the third place game 59-58 against Virginia Tech last Friday. Led by a career-high 30 point game from senior guard Nate Johnson.

Johnson scored a game-winning three with 25 seconds left. In recognition of his efforts, Johnson was named to this week’s Big East Honor Roll and the NIT Season Tip-Off All-Tournament team. This week, Xavier will host Central Michigan Wednesday at 6:30 PM Eastern on FS1. They will travel to face Oklahoma State this Sunday at 5 PM Eastern on ESPN2. As part of the Big East-Big 12 Battle.

Northern Kentucky Basketball are emerging from a losing week. Losing 69-67 at home to Western Illinois last Monday. Then losing to DePaul Basketball 77-68 in Chicago last Friday. To wrap up their run in the Blue Demon Classic. Northern Kentucky launches into Horizon League play this week. Traveling to face Cleveland State Thursday at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN+. Then traveling to face Purdue Fort Wayne Saturday at 1 PM Eastern also on ESPN+.

Meanwhile, Dayton Basketball had perhaps the biggest win of the week in men’s College Basketball. Upsetting then No.4 Kansas Basketball 74-73 last Friday in the ESPN Events Invitational. Dayton went on to win the title game of that tournament. Beating Belmont Basketball 63-61 on Sunday evening. After starting off the season 1-3, Dayton is surging back and heads into this week 5-3.

In women’s basketball, the three main local NCAA Division I programs are now .500 or better. Xavier is 3-3 after three-consecutive wins to close November. Cincinnati also holds a 3-3 record heading into this week. After beating Western Carolina and losing to Ohio State last week. Northern Kentucky is 4-2 after beating Miami (Ohio) and Central Arkansas on the road last week.

Northern Kentucky Women’s Basketball will begin conference play this week. Hosting Cleveland State Friday at 7 PM Eastern and Purdue Fort Wayne on Sunday at 2 PM Eastern. Cincinnati will have their last two games before the Crosstown Shootout. Hosting Central Michigan Wednesday at 7 PM Eastern and Ole Miss Sunday at 2 PM Eastern. NKU and Cincinnati’s games can be seen on ESPN+.

Xavier will launch into Big East play this week. With road games Friday at Marquette and Sunday at DePaul. Friday’s game tips-off at 8 PM Eastern and Sunday’s tips-off at 6 PM Eastern. Friday and Sunday’s games can be seen on FloSports.