Ticket Punched: Luke Fickell's Bearcats Defy Odds, Should be Playoff Bound After Win Over Houston

Cincinnati is 13-0 and playoff bound after a huge win over Houston

CINCINNATI — Luke Fickell became the head coach of the University of Cincinnati football program on Dec. 10, 2016. 

He might've had this vision when he took the job nearly five years ago, but not many could've pictured this less than a half decade later. 

The No. 4 Bearcats beat the No. 21 Houston Cougars on Saturday night to improve to 13-0 and win a second consecutive American Athletic Conference Championship. 

Cincinnati is going to the College Football Playoff. 

It won't be official until Sunday at Noon when the committee announces their final decision, but the Bearcats punched their ticket. 

With Oklahoma State losing to Baylor in the Big 12 Championship Game, there's no reason why Cincinnati won't be included in college football's version of the Final Four. 

Saturday was the biggest game and now the biggest win, not only in Nippert Stadium history, but in program history. 

It was essentially a matchup Elite 8 game with a Final Four berth on the line. Fickell's crew answered the bell, outscoring Houston 21-0 in the third quarter to build a commanding lead. 

The Bearcats might have to go through Alabama or Georgia, maybe Michigan, but the fact that they're two wins away from a National Championship is surreal. 

Cincinnati has been favored all season long. They've dealt with the pressure that comes with needing to be perfect and they've heard the phrase "style points" far too often. 

They conquered every challenge, and overcame the distractions that were thrown their way. 

Those expectations have officially changed. No one is going to expect them to beat Alabama, Georgia or Michigan. There are plenty of people that still doubt this team. 

The Bearcats played with the weight of the world on their shoulders and they answered the bell. Now they're at the black jack table playing with house money. 

Enjoy this one, Bearcats fans. Soak it in. 

The fans that were in attendance on Saturday night certainly did. Nippert Stadium was electric. I attended every home game during the run in 2009—the last time the Bearcats were this good and in the hunt for a National Championship—Saturday night felt much louder. 

The mood inside Nippert Stadium now just one quarter from the college football playoff. #Bearcats pic.twitter.com/R7LoO1iymw

— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) December 4, 2021

No one believed Cincinnati would be in this position when Fickell was hired five years ago. This is already an historical season, no matter what happens next, but it would be silly to count them out now. 

The Bearcats are two wins away from a National Championship and for the first time this season, they'll be playing with house money. 

Next stop: the College Football Playoff.

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