The most interesting aspect of the most intriguing games this week is the similar contrast of each matchup, pitting consistent contenders against unproven upstarts. There …
The most interesting aspect of the most intriguing games this week is the similar contrast of each matchup, pitting consistent contenders against unproven upstarts. There will be a shootout between No.1 Alabama (4-0) and No.12 Mississippi (3-0). There will be a rock fight between No.2 Georgia (4-0) and No.8 Arkansas (4-0). There will be Kentucky (4-0), looking for its second win over No.10 Florida (3-1) since 1986. There will be a rare packed house at Maryland (4-0), which plays No.5 Iowa (4-0) under Friday night lights. The biggest ripple will be felt when No.7 Cincinnati (3-0) travels to No.9 Notre Dame (4-0), the only one of these matchups in which the traditional power is an underdog. It is the only game featuring two top-10 teams, yet carries the distinction of ensuring the loser won’t make the playoff, while failing to stand out enough for the winner to be assured a playoff spot with an undefeated season. That is because neither team has any other (currently) ranked teams on its schedule. After failing to rise above sixth during last year’s unbeaten regular season, the Bearcats at least have an outside chance to be considered for the playoff, given the struggles of three-quarters of the sport’s most frequent postseason participants (Clemson, Ohio State, Oklahoma). Cincinnati is only the second Group of Five team in the playoff era, after Houston in 2016, to enter October in such a strong position. It is deserved, and it is heartening, but it is also unfamiliar territory for a program that has played one legit road game since 2019. The Bearcats may be the better team, but they carry much more pressure, given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in front of the largest crowd Cincinnati has seen in two years, facing an opponent whose helmets are a reminder of its history and has so rarely been so disrespected at home. “Once the thing is kicked off, you can’t let all of the emotions about what was going on affect you. You can’t let it drain you,” Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell said this week. “With all of the things you do to prepare, once you get to Saturday, it can drain you.
