Cincinnati vs. Ohio State: Buckeyes carry 41-game win streak vs. in-state opponents
Ohio State hasn't lost to an in-state foe in nearly 100 years and that streak isn't likely to end Saturday vs. Cincinnati.
In not many states is a college football team more popular than an NFL club(s). In fact, it might only be true in Ohio. While half of the state's residents might be Cleveland Browns fans and the other half back the Cincinnati Bengals, EVERYONE roots for The Ohio State University on gridiron. The Top 10 Buckeyes host Cincinnati on Saturday with a noon ET kickoff from the Horseshoe in Columbus. OSU is a 16.5-point favorite on the college football odds.
Ohio State is also the only FBS football program in the state, so perhaps that explains why the Buckeyes have won a ridiculous 41 consecutive games against in-state opposition. The last loss was 7-6 to Oberlin in 1921, although it should be noted that the Buckeyes apparently didn't deign any state foes worthy of playing from 1933-1991. OSU's last game vs. an in-state foe was a 77-10 destruction of Bowling Green in the 2016 opener. Of course, Ohio State will never, ever travel to an in-state foe. It has covered the past three meetings with Cincinnati, last a 50-28 win in 2014.
Last Saturday in Ryan Day's first game as full-time head coach, the Buckeyes not surprisingly routed visiting Florida Atlantic 45-21. New starting QB Justin Fields threw for four scores and rushed for another. OSU has now won its season opener in 20 consecutive years, the longest active streak in the FBS. Ohio State also has won 32 consecutive games that kicked off at noon.
Cincinnati is coached by Luke Fickell, who was a very good defensive player at Ohio State and an assistant there for many years, including the interim head coach in the 2011 season when Jim Tressel was given the boot. Fickell was the co-defensive coordinator from 2012-16 before Cincinnati lured him away. Last year, Fickell was named AAC Coach of the Year as he led Cincinnati to a historic turnaround with an 11-2 record, only the third 11-win season in school history.
The Bearcats beat visiting UCLA last Thursday, 24-14, the second straight year that UC has handled Chip Kelly's club. Cincinnati starting safety James Wiggins missed the game, but that worked out well because replacement Ja'Von Hicks had an interception and fumble recovery. Tailback Michael Warren II rushed for 92 yards and a score while catching a TD pass.
As for visiting Big Ten teams, UC's only win the past 10 was 2016 at Purdue, but Cincinnati has covered the past two at Big Ten clubs.