Cincinnati Bearcats win second straight AAC title, now look to CFP selection tomorrow

For a second straight December, the University of Cincinnati hosted the American Athletic Conference football championship game Saturday. A year ago, it came in front of a limited crowd of 5,831 due to coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

On this pre-winter evening, it was a stacked and packed Nippert Stadium with the fan base in a lather over a possible undefeated season. Couple that with the likelihood of Luke Fickell remaining as coach and Corryville was at a fever pitch before kickoff.

Decked out in holiday red in front of 37,978, the Bearcats gave their fans season's greetings with a 35-20 defeat of No. 21 Houston. They now have won back-to-back AAC championships in three consecutive…