Desmond Ridder wants Cincinnati to represent all ‘small schools’ in the College Football Playoff

Cincinnati Bearcat quarterback Desmond Ridder wants to help college students through Dr. Pepper. He also hopes to right a college football wrong.

Cincinnati Bearcat quarterback Desmond Ritter did not expect to be one win away from a chance to play in the College Football Playoff when he decided to come back for his senior season.

“That was something we never really talked about as a program,” Ridder told FanSided. “Our main focus being from a Group of Five smaller school program is winning conference championships.”

That is not to say that Ridder didn’t believe the Bearcats belonged in the playoff or could compete, but more a reflection on the selection process that had snubbed worthy candidates. One that he knew especially well.

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder playing with chip on his shoulder for all the other smaller schools that didn’t get a playoff opportunity

“There have been a lot of teams in our conference, even us last year, UCF in 2018 and 2017, that had a good shot at it and they did not give them the respect they deserved,” Ridder said. “We are excited to get out there and not only perform for us but for every smaller school in the country.”

Ridder was close to not being in this position. He strongly considered entering the NFL draft after the 2020 pandemic season where he led the  Bearcats to an undefeated 9-0 regular season. The Bearcats lost a Peach Bowl heartbreaker to Georgia 24-21 getting outscored 14-0 in the 4th quarter.

“It was definitely close and a lot of people look back and look at the Georgia game and a lot of people think that that was my ultimate deciding factor,” Ridder said. “My decision was made going into the Georgia game. I knew that I was a couple touchdowns and a couple yards away from breaking records here.”

Ridder now owns the Bearcat touchdowns passing record with 84 and counting. His NFL Draft stock has continued to rise with some scouts projecting him to have an outside chance to be selected late in the first round.

The College Football Playoff will come first if Cincinnati can beat No. 21 Houston in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game. Ridder knows there may be some doubters out there that a “smaller school” belongs with the final four. He has some advice.

“I would just tell them to turn on the tape and just watch all of our games and watch how we play not the points that we put up but the style of play,” Ridder said. “We can go out there and play with the best of the best no matter what school how big or how small.”

Time will tell. But there is no doubt that Cincinnati and Ridder have earned the opportunity.

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Desmond Ridder spoke to FanSided on behalf of Dr. Pepper and their Tuition Giveaway.