Reactions: Cincinnati Bearcats likely secure CFP semifinal spot with AAC title game win

Desmond Ridder and Jerome Ford led the Cincinnati Bearcats to a huge 21-point third quarter and 35-20 American Athletic Conference Championship game win against Houston that likely secured a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals that would be a first ever for a Group of Five team.

The Bearcats - ranked No. 4 in the latest CFP rankings - improved to 13-0 with the victory, and any fear of being jumped by Oklahoma State in the rankings went away with the Cowboys' loss to Baylor in the Big 12 title game.

"Cincinnati is gonna have a chance to play for a National Championship," ABC play-by-play announcer Joe Tessitore said during the broadcast. "It'll become official tomorrow just after…