1. Houston, you have a problem: Or so the Cincinnati Bengals hope. Cincinnati marches into Houston in a rematch of last year’s AFC wild-card game next weekend — and with some revenge in mind — following last season’s 31-10 loss to Houston. The Bengals are in the playoffs for the fourth time in eight seasons, but are 0-3 in their last three appearances. The Bengals have not won a playoff game since beating the Houston Oilers 41-14 in 1990 and are 5-10 overall. To advance the Bengals need to slow down Texans running back Arian Foster. He ran through Cincinnati for 153 yards and two touchdowns in last year’s win, which was the Texans’ first playoff game in franchise history.

2. Going Bowling: With no bowl game for the banned Buckeyes, Ohio State fans settle for the next best thing … rooting against Michigan in their bowl. Led by Fairmont native and Wolverines coach Brady Hoke, No. 19 Michigan takes on No. 11 South Carolina in the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday. The meeting is the first for the two teams since 1985 when Michigan won 34-3. Trotwood-Madison product Roy Roundtree enters as Michigan’s second-leading receiver with 28 receptions for 553 yards and three touchdowns.

3. Tigers need to scratch out a win: The Wittenberg men’s basketball team (8-3) gets a chance to climb back in the North Coast Athletic Conference race when the Tigers host Ohio Wesleyan (10-1) at 4 p.m. Saturday. Ohio Wesleyan joins Wooster as the only two teams undefeated in the NCAC. Witt (1-1) already lost to Wooster so the Tigers need this win to stay in the NCAC hunt. Bethel High School graduate Scott Masin leads Wittenberg with 13.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, while Northmont grad Steve Newell averages 8.2 points.

4. Super Saturday: Girls basketball fans have some tough choices to make on Saturday. Among the highlights: Six of the Miami Valley’s top teams go head-to-head when Alter takes on Chaminade Julienne, Talawanda plays Wilmington and Miami East tangles with Tri-Village with plenty at stake. Alter leads CJ by one game in the Girls Greater Cincinnati League’s North Division. Talawanda and Wilmington share the Southwest Ohio Conference lead at 5-0. Tri-Village and Miami East are atop the Cross County Conference at 5-0. Game on.

5. Backyard Brawl: Two of the area’s top players share the court when Springboro (8-2) makes the short drive to Franklin (6-1) for a non-league showdown Saturday. Maverick Morgan, Springboro’s 6-foot-11 center, has dominated with 24.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and three blocks per game. Franklin counters with 6-5 sophomore guard Luke Kennard and his 25.2 points, 12.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. Keep an eye on Franklin’s Travis Lakins, too. The elusive guard is averaging 20.8 points.