By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
The Cincinnati Bearcats knew that they would be the underdogs against the mighty Alabama Crimson Tide. However, they were no match for the defending national champions.
The talent swayed in the Crimson Tide’s favor, as they won 27-6 over the Bearcats in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
Alabama improved to 13-1 with the win. The Crimson Tide have now won seven straight games since their October loss to the Texas A&M Aggies.
The Bearcats had their 13-game win streak snapped. Cincinnati was the first Group of 5 team to make the College Football Playoff.
With the win, Alabama will play either the Michigan Wolverines or the Georgia Bulldogs in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, January 10th at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Tide and the Bulldogs are very familiar with one another.
Alabama has a 42-25-4 record all-time against Georgia. The Crimson Tide has won eight straight games in the series dating back to the 2008 season.
The two teams collided in the Southeastern Conference Championship game on December 4th at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The Crimson Tide won 41-24.
Alabama is 3-2 all-time against Michigan. The Crimson Tide last won in this series in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl on January 1st, 2020 in Orlando, Florida.
The last two games in this series have belonged to the Crimson Tide.
Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young went 17 of 28 for 181 yards. He had three touchdown passes and one interception.
This was Young’s worst passing game of the season. Before Saturday, he had a season-low 227 passing yards against FCS school Mercer Bears in Week 2.
Brian Robinson Jr. had 25 carries for 198 yards. Ja’Corey Brooks had four receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown.
Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder went 17 of 32 for 144 yards.
Jerome Ford, who previously played for the Crimson Tide before transferring to the Bearcats, had 15 carries for 77 yards. Michael Young Jr. had four receptions for 55 yards.
The Crimson Tide outscored the Bearcats 10-3 in the second half. Young hit Cameron Latu for a nine-yard touchdown reception.
Alabama kicker Will Reichard made a 43-yard field goal.
Cincinnati kicker Cole Smith also made a 37-yard field goal.
In the first half, Alabama led 17-3. Young hit Slade Bolden for an eight-yard touchdown reception.
Young also hit Brooks for a 44-yard touchdown reception. Reichard also made a 26-yard field goal.
Smith also made a 33-yard field goal for the Bearcats.
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