LUKE FICKELL

Top-ranked Alabama is headed to another national championship game.

The biggest game week in Cincinnati history has arrived.

KALAMAZOO, MI – Depending on how things shake out on New Year’s Eve, there could be quite the celebration going on in Cincinnati when Cincear Lewis arrives. The Kalamazoo Central senior signed his national letter of intent Wednesday to join the Bearcats football team, which plays Alabama on Dec. 31 in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Kalamazoo Central senior Cincear Lewis (1) poses for a portrait during Kalamazoo-area high school football at The Dome Sports Center in Schoolcraft, Michigan. Lewis joins a Cincinnati program that has compiled a 48-14 record in five years under Fickell, including a 13-0 mark in 2021. “It wasn’t really a tough decision,” Lewis said of graduating high school early.

Cincinnati is the first outsider to make the College Football Playoff and Alabama is the standard bearer.

PregameReport: Lions ‘quietly’ pursued University of Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell before hiring Dan Campbell--DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions (0-10-1) and their quest for that first win of the season continues into the homestretch, drawing the Minnesota Vikings (5-6) in Week 13 action from Ford Field. Minnesota has won eight straight in this series and is looking to keep its playoff hopes alive. This post will update with drive summaries, analysis, injury updates, photos and more throughout the game. Hit the refresh button to keep up and make sure to follow MLive’s Detroit Lions reporters on Twitter -- @BenjaminSRaven and @kmeinke. Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings: Matchups to watch, key questions heading into Week 13Trey Flowers headed back to injured reserve as the tough times continue for him in DetroitHow to watch Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings: Everything you need to knowLooking ahead: Minnesota Vikings can extend winning streak over Detroit Lions to 9 games2021 Team stats:DVOA offensive ranking: Lions 30th | Vikings 8thDVOA defensive ranking: Lions 28th | Vikings 17thNet yards gained per passing attempt: Lions 5.2 (32nd) | Vikings 6.9 (9th)Rushing yards per attempt: Lions 4.6 (6th) | Vikings 4.2 (17th)Points per game: Lions 15.8 (30th) | Vikings 25.5 (10th)Points allowed per game: Lions 26.3 (27th) | Vikings 25.1 (24th)Net yards allowed per passing attempt: Lions 7.5 (32nd) | Vikings 6.6 (23rd)Rushing yards allowed per attempt: Lions 4.3 (14th) | Vikings 4.8 (32nd)Takeaways: Lions 13 | Vikings 13

Almost a year after the Detroit Lions’ head coaching search led them to Dan Campbell, another name they once considered has surfaced. The Lions also quietly spoke with University of Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell, according to NFL Network, the third college coach who has been linked to the search. The club also had reported interest in Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald and Iowa State’s Matt Campbell. CBS Sports reported the Lions were so serious about Matt Campbell that they offered an eight-year, $68.5 million contract. I’m not going to say whether we interviewed a college coach or whether we didn’t or whether we extended an offer.

Jerome Ford rushed for 187 yards and two touchdowns and Desmond Ridder threw three touchdown passes as No. 3 Cincinnati broke open a close game in the third quarter and rolled past No. 16 Houston 35-20 in the American Athletic Conference championship game.

Dan Wolken believes the current system for poaching and acquiring college football head coaches is broken and only going to get more chaotic if the CFP decides to expand.

Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick says he won’t be rushed into finding a replacement for football coach Brian Kelly no matter where the team is going in the postseason.

Desmond Ridder threw two touchdown passes and No. 4 Cincinnati completed a perfect regular season by beating East Carolina 35-13.

Tulsa’s Steven Anderson fumbled as he was reaching for the goal line on fourth-and-goal from the 1, Jabari Taylor recovered for a touchback and No. 2 Cincinnati held off Tulsa 28-20.

Desmond Ridder twice connected with tight end Josh Whyle for touchdowns and No. 2 Cincinnati remained unbeaten with a 31-12 victory over struggling Tulane.

Jerome Ford rushed for a career-high 189 yards and four touchdowns to help No. 3 Cincinnati roll past UCF 56-21.

Desmond Ridder threw for 259 yards and three touchdowns and No. 5 Cincinnati routed Temple 52-3 on Friday night for its 23rd straight home victory.

We're checking the temperature of the USC football coaching search. Penn State's James Franklin is considered a top candidate. Urban Meyer still isn't.

No. 8 Cincinnati took one small step toward playoff contention by rallying to beat Indiana.

Alabama looked beatable.

Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell spent this week preparing his team to hit the road. “For us to play a really, really, really good Indiana team that we’ve been talking about since the summer and then you throw the road changeup and the crowd, it's something we haven't experienced in a year and a half." Quarterback Desmond Ridder, last season's American Athletic Conference Player of the Year, quickly explained on Twitter his coach wasn't going anywhere.

Jerome Ford rushed for 113 yards and three touchdowns and Desmond Ridder passed for 243 yards and two TDs to lead No. 7 Cincinnati past Murray State 42-7.

Tennessee State has hired former NFL running back Eddie George as football coach.

Michigan State safeties coach Mike Tressel is expected to be named Cincinnati’s new defensive coordinator, according to a report Monday afternoon from Yahoo! Sources: Cincinnati is expected to hire Mike Tressel as the school's next defensive coordinator. Tressel has been an assistant coach at Michigan State for the last 14 seasons. Tucker hired Kansas State’s Scottie Hazelton as the defensive coordinator, Tressel was named safeties coach and Barnett returned to coach cornerbacks. Related Michigan State football stories:Mel Tucker remains focused on culture building following debut season at Michigan StateMichigan State’s early enrollees and transfers arrive with a few surprisesFormer Michigan State assistant Dave Warner named UTEP offensive coordinatorMichigan State football mailbag: Evaluating recruiting, transfers and the coaching staffFormer Michigan State CB Chris Jackson transferring to Washington State

Georgia place kicker Jack Podlesny, offensive player of the game, stands with Georgia head coach Kirby Smart after the Peach Bowl NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in Atlanta. 6 Cincinnati its only loss of the season with a dramatic 24-21 victory in the Peach Bowl. Daniels, a Southern California transfer, passed for 392 yards while improving to a perfect 4-0 in four starts for Georgia. Podlesny’s winning kick tied a Peach Bowl record for longest field goal and gave Georgia a 22-21 lead. “I would feel much better if we just played our best game,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said.

8 Cincinnati's game at Tulsa on Saturday has been postponed because of positive COVID-19 tests among Bearcats players. The American Athletic Conference announced Thursday, Oct. 15, the game is being rescheduled for Dec. 5. 8 Cincinnati’s game at Tulsa on Saturday has been postponed because of positive COVID-19 tests among Bearcats players. Tulsa has had three games postponed, including its opener against Oklahoma State, which it was able to make up. “I’m disappointed, first, for our football student-athletes and coaches, and obviously for our staff who has prepared so diligently, our campus and the city of Tulsa," Tulsa athletic director Rick Dickson said.

Coach Luke Fickell informed Michigan State on Monday that hes decided to stay at Cincinnati, leaving the Spartans to resume their search to find Mark Dantonios replacement. After considering the Michigan State job over the weekend, Fickell announced he was staying because his family is comfortable in Cincinnati. I know at some point in time things always come to an end, whether they get rid of you, kids leave theres all kinds of things, Fickell said in a video posted on the teams website. He replaced Mark Hollis, who retired early in 2018 amid the fallout from the sexual abuse scandal involving Larry Nassar, a former Michigan State sports doctor who also worked for USA Gymnastics. Michigan State slipped to 7-6 each of the past two seasons.

The Bearcats can clinch at least a share of the AAC East title with a win at South Florida on Saturday. After barely squeaking out a win against East Carolina, Cincinnati pummeled Connecticut 48-3 last weekend behind stellar defensive play. ABOUT SOUTH FLORIDA (4-5, 2-3)The story of the season for the Bulls has been trouble on offense, exacerbated in their 17-7 loss to Temple. South Florida has a takeaway in every game this season. PREDICTION: Cincinnati 35, South Florida 14

The 17th-ranked Bearcats aim to remain perfect in American Athletic Conference play when they host lowly Connecticut on Saturday afternoon in their homecoming game. 1 rushing team in the nation, and will be further tested after Cincinnati ran for 326 yards last week. Cincinnati has won 11 straight overall at home and seven of the past eight versus UConn, but squeaked past the Huskies 22-21 at home two years ago. Mensah was limited to 25 yards rushing on 15 carries by Cincinnati last year. PREDICTION: Cincinnati 48, Connecticut 14

Two of the other contenders for that potential bid get the national spotlight this Saturday on CBS Sports Network. Also vying for that spot are the perennial class of the Mountain West, the Boise State Broncos. Zaire sees that loss as a strong motivating factor for the Broncos as they push forward through the rest of their schedule. The Broncos look to get back to their winning ways on Saturday night in the Bay Area against San Jose State. Boise State enters the matchup as 17-point favorites according to SportsLine.

Head Coach Luke Fickell of the Cincinnati Bearcats watches his team warm up before a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)CINCINNATI, Ohio - Cincinnati is in the midst of a seemingly easy stretch as it navigates American Athletic Conference play. "Nobody thought this was a trap game," Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell said after last week's 38-23 triumph over Houston. The Bearcats must maintain their focus against a Tulsa team that has allowed 88 points in losing the last two games. PREDICTION: Cincinnati 37, Tulsa 30More college football scoresCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

Head Coach Luke Fickell of the Cincinnati Bearcats watches his team warm up before a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)HOUSTON - Cincinnati got off to a strong start in American Athletic Conference play when it snapped perennial favorite Central Florida's 19-game conference winning-streak. The Bearcats have ripped off three straight victories and will now head to Houston, a team still looking for its first win in AAC play. Sophomore signal-caller Clayton Tune will start his second game of the season and fourth of his career. PREDICTION: Cincinnati 35, Houston 24More college football scoresCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

Head Coach Luke Fickell of the Cincinnati Bearcats watches his team warm up before a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. - Cincinnati returns to action after having a week off when it visits Marshall for a non-conference contest on Saturday. Marshall has had no such trouble offensively, putting up 32 points per game behind an offense that relies on the ground attack. ABOUT MARSHALL (2-1)With the dismissal of Tyler King after two games this season, Knox was thrust into the No. PREDICTION: Marshall 28, Cincinnati 20More college football scoresCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

The third-year Bearcats coach faces a formidable challenge against a fifth-ranked Ohio State team that began the Ryan Day era with a convincing win at home last week over Florida Atlantic. Ohio State hasn't lost to Cincinnati since 1897 and is 5-0 against the Bearcats since 1999, including a 50-28 victory in their last meeting in 2014. Ohio State has not lost to an in-state opponent since Oberlin (7-6) in 1921, but the Bearcats could be one of the best teams from Ohio the Buckeyes have faced in recent years. Cincinnati S James Wiggins, expected to be one of the team's standouts on defense, is out for the season with a torn ACL. PREDICTION: Ohio State 35, Cincinnati 21More college football scoresCopyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

Jim Harbaugh lashed out Tuesday night at Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell, who said Michigan did not support a transfers attempt to immediately play for the Bearcats. Harbaugh said he told Fickell months ago he wouldnt lie about what he knew regarding the transfer of James Hudson. Fickell told The Athletic that Michigan didnt support Hudsons waiver request. Michigan did not block the waiver, said Harbaugh, adding it was the NCAAs decision to deny Hudsons request. Harbaugh said Fickell called him in March, trying to coach him what to say about the events leading up to Hudsons transfer.