In this review, No.4 Cincinnati Football clinches their first College Football Playoff berth. Major League Baseball’s first work stoppage since the 1990’s begins. While the Cincinnati Bengals stumble at home to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Cincinnati Football wins AAC title and CFP berth

Cincinnati Football shattered modern College Football’s glass ceiling last Sunday. Becoming the first Group of Five Conference school to qualify for the College Football Playoff. The Cincinnati Bearcats ranked No.4 in the decisive CFP rankings. They will face No.1 Alabama Football on New Year’s Eve. In the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX at 3:30 PM Eastern on ESPN.

The Bearcats clinched their CFP berth through winning the American Athletic Conference Championship Game last Saturday. Beating No.21 Houston Football at a packed Nippert Stadium 35-20. After leading 14-13 at halftime, Cincinnati took control with a decisive third quarter. The Bearcats scored 21 points in that quarter. Through senior quarterback Desmond Ridder connecting with Leonard Taylor and Alec Pierce. Earlier in the first quarter, Ridder connected with Tyler Scott for the game’s first touchdown. Pierce’s touchdown punctuated a drive started by a Joel Dublanko interception.

Running Back Jerome Ford scored the last of Cincinnati’s three touchdowns in the quarter. Ford followed up a 79-yard touchdown run in the first with a 42-yard touchdown run in the third. Meanwhile, kicker Christian Lowery made all three extra points in that quarter. Ford’s touchdowns helped him earn the game’s Most Valuable Player award. Along with a chance to take on the school he transferred from after freshman year in the CFP.

Cincinnati Bengals grapple with injuries after Week 13 loss

Amid the celebrating over Cincinnati’s College Football Playoff berth Sunday afternoon. The Cincinnati Bengals lost 41-22 at home to the Los Angeles Chargers. Never leading in this game, the Bengals trailed 24-0 before getting on the board. The Bengals narrowed their deficit down to two in the third quarter. Cincinnati was ultimately shutout 17-0 in the fourth quarter.

Key Bengals playmakers are dealing with injuries after Sunday’s loss. Linebackers Logan Wilson and Markus Bailey left the game with shoulder injuries. Wilson was carted off the field and is reportedly dealing with a dislocated shoulder. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Wilson is expected to miss time. While Bailey’s injury is being described as “a stinger” and he’s expected to be okay. Along with this, quarterback Joe Burrow spent most of the game dealing with a finger injury. Burrow expects he will be able to play next week.

Next up for the Bengals, a home game against the San Francisco 49ers. Kickoff is set for 4:25 PM Eastern on CBS.

Cincinnati and Xavier Basketball inch closer to Crosstown Shootout

Following back-to-back losses during Thanksgiving week. Cincinnati Men’s Basketball bounced back with back-to-back wins last week. Narrowly escaping Oxford with a 59-58 win against Miami (Ohio) Basketball last Wednesday. Cincinnati wrapped up a jubilant Sunday for their university with a dominant win over Bryant Basketball. Avoiding another loss to a mid-major program through their 73-58 home win over Bryant.

Sunday’s game marked Cincinnati’s last game before this Saturday’s Crosstown Shootout against Xavier Basketball. Saturday’s tip-off at Xavier’s Cintas Center is set for 8:30 PM Eastern on FS1. The game will take place days after the death of Cincinnati Bearcats Hall of Famer Herb Jones. He was one of the leading players of Cincinnati’s 1992 Final Four team. Jones passed away at the age of 51 Monday morning; after battling lung and liver cancer.

Cincinnati Women’s Basketball continues to hold on to a .500 record. The Bearcats have a 4-4 record after back-to-back home games last week. The Bearcats beat Central Michigan Basketball 59-54 last Wednesday. Then lost 63-75 last Sunday against Ole Miss Basketball. In the Bearcats last game before this coming Sunday’s Crosstown Shootout. The Bearcats will host Xavier at Fifth Third Arena this Sunday. Tip-off is set for 2 PM Eastern and can be seen on ESPN+.

Xavier Men’s Basketball walloped Central Michigan 78-45 last Wednesday. Continuing a stretch of convincing wins at their home Cintas Center this season. Last Wednesday’s game marked the season debut for Zach Fremantle. The junior forward missed the first six games of the season. After recuperating from a foot injury that required surgery. Fremantle played six minutes, didn’t score and had an assist. Meanwhile, Xavier senior guard Nate Johnson led the game with 24 points.

Xavier beat Oklahoma State Basketball on the road last Sunday. Winning 77-71 as part of the Big East-Big 12 Battle. After trailing by four at halftime, Xavier scored 42 points in the second half. Taking advantage of a five-minute Oklahoma State scoreless drought. Xavier also outpaced Oklahoma State with 42 rebounds compared to OSU’s 33. Xavier will have one more game before Saturday’s Crosstown Shootout. The Xavier Musketeers will host Ball State Basketball Wednesday at 6:30 PM Eastern on FS1.

Xavier Women’s Basketball is back under .500 going into this week. After opening their Big East Conference schedule with back-to-back road losses. Losing 76-48 last Friday at Marquette Basketball and 103-85 last Sunday at DePaul. Similar to Xavier’s men’s team, Xavier’s women’s team has one more game before Sunday’s Crosstown Shootout. Xavier will host Niagra Basketball Wednesday at Noon Eastern on FloSports.

Northern Kentucky Basketball weekly roundup

Northern Kentucky Men’s Basketball is struggling with a four-game losing streak. The streak began with losses during Thanksgiving week to Western Illinois and at DePaul. Then continued in their opening Horizon League games last week. Losing on the road 72-58 last Thursday against Cleveland State Basketball. Then losing their third-consecutive road game 71-57 last Saturday at Purdue Fort Wayne.

After starting off 2-2 at home, the NKU Norse are 0-3 on the road this season. Perhaps fortunately for the Norse, they have two home games this week. Hosting Canisius Basketball Wednesday at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN+. Then hosting Eastern Kentucky NAIA college Alice Lloyd this Sunday. Tip-off in that game is set for 2 PM Eastern on ESPN+.

NKU Women’s Basketball is faring better overall and on the road. Going into this week with a 5-3 overall record and 3-1 road record. After launching into Horizon League play with a 63-52 home loss to Cleveland State. Then winning 69-60 last Sunday at home against Purdue Fort Wayne. This week, the Norse will host NCAA Division II HBCU Kentucky State Basketball. Set to tip-off this Wednesday at 11 AM Eastern on ESPN+. NKU will wrap up their week Saturday at Saint Louis; tip-off is set for 8:30 PM Eastern on ESPN+.

Major League Baseball lockout begins

Perhaps the least surprising news from last week is Major League Baseball’s lockout. Marking the league’s first work stoppage since the 1994-95 strike. The owners and players failed to reach an agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Prompting the start of the lockout last Thursday, when the most recent CBA expired. The Cincinnati Reds and other teams cannot make trades or sign free agents during the lockout.

The lockout is bringing the Nick Castellanos free agency watch to a halt. He and fellow players cannot access team facilities during the lockout. The lockout is prompting the cancellation of the Winter Meetings. Which were supposed to take place this week in Orlando, FL. Originally scheduled to take place Thursday; the Rule 5 Draft is being postponed as well.