The Key for the week of December 8, 2025
What’s Next for the Bengals?
Yes, the Bengals have not been mathematically eliminated from the AFC North race. Realistically, though, it would take a miracle and then some for the men in stripes to make it to the post season. With Trey Hendrickson more than likely having played his last game for Cincinnati with season-ending surgery this week, the team needs to fill the holes at linebacker long term while looking at the offensive line (again). Since losing the AFC Championship game in 2022, the Bengals have recorded back-to-back 9-8 seasons (and no playoffs) before this year’s 4-9 and counting record. This week, keep an eye on the status of Tee Higgins, as he returns to concussion protocol after banging his head against the frozen tundra of Buffalo several times last weekend.
What’s Next for the Reds?
Yes, Ben realizes it may have been a pipe dream to think that Kyle Schwarber would return to the Cincinnati area and play for the Reds. Instead, Schwarber re-upped with the Phillies for five years and $150 million this week, so the Reds will need to look elsewhere to find the slugger needed for the middle of the batting order. Who else might be on their wish list? Perhaps Pete Alonso, but he doesn’t have the home town connection and frankly might demand more than Schwarber.
What’s next for the CFP?
If anyone in college football thought the controversies would end with the field being expanded from four participants to 12, they were probably seeing visions of sugarplums as well. Notre Dame may be the biggest name to bow out of the bowl season, but not the only one—Auburn, UCF, Kansas State and Florida State, among others, also voted to stay home for the holidays. Let’s be realistic: It’s expensive for schools to take part in a bowl game, and these days the post-season becomes a showcase for other schools to poach the teams’ best players with NIL dollars. This trend to stay home could 1) be the beginning of the end of the holiday bowl schedule and 2) force changes—again—to the college football playoff season.
Ben’s Best Bet
Speaking of college football, the Heisman Trophy will be handed out this weekend, with Fernando Mendoza from IU the oddsmakers’ favorite to win the school’s first Heisman, with Vandy’s Diego Pavia next in line. Julian Sayin spent much of the season as the Heisman favorite, but Mendoza’s game winning touchdown passes in both the Penn State and the Big 10 Championship games probably sealed it for the Cal transfer. Expect a big celebration in B-town as the Hoosiers have their first Heisman.