2. Cincinnati lost, but it was just fine
2015 Michigan State had the experience and talent and coaching and attitude to give Alabama a push in the College Football Playoff, and …
38-0 Alabama, and it wasn’t even that close.
2016 Washington had a hard-nosed team that won a Pac-12 title and had the make-up to be a problem for the Tide. The defense came up with a decent day in the 2016 Peach Bowl, and …
24-7 Alabama.
Clemson was the No. 1 seed in the 2018 College Football Playoff, and Alabama spent the game jumping on QB Kelly Bryant’s head in a 24-6 Sugar Bowl win.
Notre Dame’s 31-14 Rose Bowl loss last year was only that close because Alabama wanted it to be, the national championship against Ohio State wasn’t much better, and …
Forgive the long-winded lead-up. Cincinnati lost, and it was never really in it, and it was okay.
That could’ve been any team – Notre Dame, Oklahoma State, Baylor, almost anyone – and a 27-6 loss wouldn’t have been shocking.
The 218 yards of total offense were disappointing, and the run defense will be down about getting plowed over, but the secondary was fine, the game never got out of hand, and it wasn’t a bad showing all things considered.
Forget the Group of Five tag. Cincinnati played against Alabama like another Power Five team.
Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff 5 Thoughts
5. Alabama played like it knew Cincinnati wasn’t going to score
4. Bryce Young was fine, but …
3. That’s the Brian Robinson Bama needed
1. Alabama is still great, and it’s okay