Top-ranked Alabama holds a 17-3 lead over the No. 4 Cincinnati Bearcats in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Semifinal matchup. The winner of this matchup will face the winner of No. 2 Michigan and No. 3 Georgia in the Capital One Orange Bowl.
Brian Robinson jr. and the run game is the key to success for the Crimson Tide offense, with Robinson carrying the ball 17 times for 134 yards. Overall, Alabama ball carriers have ran for 172 yards.
Bryce Young has been the reason for both touchdowns by Alabama, throwing two, one to Slade Bolden and one to Ja’Corey Brooks. He’s completed 12 of 20 passes for 130 yards.
The Crimson Tide defense has done a great job of applying pressure to Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder, mitigating his passing yards to 59 for only eight completions in 17 attempts.
Jerome Ford, the former Alabama running back, has carried the ball five times for only 23 yards for the Bearcats.
The Bearcats offense has been held to a field goal in the first half.
Will Anderson jr. and the Crimson Tide defense will need to remain strong and limit Cincinnati’s scoring opportunities, as Bill O’Brien’s offense continues to hit the ground game and run the clock.
Young and Jameson Williams have yet to hit big, as Cincinnati defensive back Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner has been a factor in designing the Crimson Tide’s offensive gameplan.
The winner of this game will move onto the national championship game in Indianapolis.
Roll Tide Wire will continue to cover the Crimson Tide throughout the second half of the Cotton Bowl against Cincinnati.
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