That loud noise echoing through the suites at Nippert Stadium on Sunday afternoon was the sound of cheers from members of the University of Cincinnati football team. It was also the sound of the Bearcats crashing through college football's glass ceiling and becoming the first team outside the Power Five conferences to earn an invitation to the College Football Playoff.
The back-to-back American Athletic Conference champion Bearcats (13-0) landed at No. 4 in the final CFP rankings after being the only remaining undefeated team in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
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