CINCINNATI (AP) Coach Luke Fickell has suggested a book about Cincinnati's upcoming football season could be titled "Life Without Desmond Ridder."

While finding a replacement for the record-setting four-year starter at quarterback may be at the front of the coach's mind this spring, the title of that tome should probably be amended to also lament the loss of a stud running back, a pair of All-American defensive backs and all seven captains from last year's College Football Playoff team.

The stars aligned for "Coach Fick" last year as the star-studded Bearcats produced the best season in school history and cracked the CFP, the first team from a second-tier conference to do so. They didn't lose a game until they ran into Alabama in the national semifinal.