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Bama Report Card: Grading Alabama’s Cotton Bowl win over Cincinnati
It’s been nearly 24 hours since No. 1 Alabama handled business in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic defeating No. 4 Cincinnati 27-6. So we are going to enjoy the next few hours of this victory before shifting our focus over to the Georgia Bulldogs.
As we reflect on Alabama’s win for just a little longer, I thought we could take a look at how each side of the ball graded out in the playoff semifinals.
Let’s get right to it!
Alabama’s 5 impact players in Cotton Bowl win over Cincinnati
No. 1 Alabama ended 2021 with a dominating playoff semifinal victory over No. 4 Cincinnati 27-6. The Tide controlled the contest from start to finish and the game was never really in doubt for Alabama.
Alabama suffocated the Cincinnati offense, holding the Bearcats to a mere 218 yards of total offense.
Offensively, Alabama dominated in the running game. The Tide rushed for 301 yards, averaging 6.4 yards per attempt.
Now that the dust has settled and the calendar has turned over to 2022, let’s take a look at five Alabama players who made the biggest impact on the semifinal victory.
WATCH: Alabama takes a early second quarter 10-3 lead over Cincinnati
No. 1 Alabama takes an early second quarter 10-3 lead over No. 4 Cincinnati after Alabama kicker Will Reichard connected on a 26-yard field goal attempt.
The Alabama offense continues to have plenty of success on the ground. Brian Robinson Jr. already has 11 carries for 74 yards in the contest. As a team, the Tide has rushed for 106 yards on 18 attempts.
Bryce Young has only attempted five passes so far connecting on three for 36 yards.
Here is Reichard’s field goal attempt:
After ALA false start, Will Reichard 26-yd FG#Bearcats 3 #RollTide 10 Q2 pic.twitter.com/kuxUpdtF87
— Sᴘᴏʀᴛs 24/7 (@Sports_24x7_) December 31, 2021
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Bryce Young delivers a strike to Slade Bolden to put the Tide up 7-0 early in the Cotton Bowl
No. 1 Alabama opened the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic with a physically dominating first drive. The Tide capped off the drive with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Young to Slade Bolden.
The touchdown pass was the only passing attempt that Young had on the drive as Alabama leaned on Brian Robinson Jr. for 37 yards on six carries.
If Alabama can continue its dominating rushing attack, it will be a long day for the Bearcat defense.
run
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PASS@_bryce_young has Alabama on the board first 💪pic.twitter.com/cJr4Ag1ThC— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) December 31, 2021
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WATCH: Alabama releases hype video ahead of Cotton Bowl matchup vs. Cincinnati
We are less than an hour away from the kickoff of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic between No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Cincinnati.
The teams have prepared and the stage is set at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. All that is left is for the teams to suit up and step between the white lines to battle it out for sixty minutes.
Alabama is a 13.5 point favorite but that hasn’t stopped the Tide players from feeling like an underdog.
Earlier today the Alabama football Twitter account released a hype video ahead of its playoff semifinal matchup with Cincinnati.
The time is NOW! #CFBPlayoff | #RollTide pic.twitter.com/ZL7FdhajIJ
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) December 31, 2021
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LOOK: Alabama fans storm Twitter in preparation for Cotton Bowl
Gameday has officially arrived. The semifinal matchup between No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Cincinnati is just a few hours away and Tide fans from all around the country are eager for kickoff.
Alabama fans are notorious for taking to Twitter on gameday to express their excitement for that day’s opponent. The playoff semifinal contest only inflames Tide fans’ intensity.
If you are not fired up for kickoff already, these series of tweets are sure to get you ready and may even give you a good laugh.
WAKE THE HELL UP! TODAY IS THE DAY THAT BRYCE YOUNG AKA YOUNG MONEY, AKA QB1, AKA YOUNG GUN, AKA YMCMB, AKA THE CALI GUN SLINGER, AKA HEI9MAN, AKA BRYCE “STEAL YO GIRL” YOUNG, LEADS THE TIDE OVER CINCY! IT’S TIME FOR WAR IN DALLAS! NO SKYLINE CHILI TONIGHT pic.twitter.com/UIa1ytm5lS
— Cruz Oxenreider (@TheRealCruzOx) December 31, 2021
RISE
SHINE
AND BEAT CINCINNATI #RollTide
— Justin Wagner (@jwag718) December 31, 2021
Gameday @AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/H8iqbF7XsI
— William Galloway (@Wm_Galloway) December 31, 2021
Gameday pic.twitter.com/Meh8jI4fwm
— Mean Streets Podcast (@meanstreetspod) December 31, 2021
Time to ROLL. 🙌#BamaFactor #RollTide pic.twitter.com/7y7WVzIRKE
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) December 31, 2021
WAKE UP!!! ITS GAMEDAY!!! ROLL TIDE!!!pic.twitter.com/a8TnRbZuNk
— KD ➐ (@notkdk3) December 31, 2021
RollTide ‼️
— Mack Wilson Sr. (@5mackwilson1) December 31, 2021
It’s game day!!!! pic.twitter.com/nhKHbiTaeF
— pamela ratliff (@irbransmom) December 31, 2021
When you're in the anchor chair but it's game day. @AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/3Fc447aWNy
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) December 31, 2021
ROLL TIDE ROLL! #beatcincinnati pic.twitter.com/XSWQdwxWFd
— TC (@GoatLatia) December 31, 2021
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WATCH: Bryce Young joins Gene Wojciechowsk of ESPN’s College GameDay to explain his calmness and how he learned to respect winning.
Tranquil is just one of the many words you could use to describe Alabama Heisman-winning quarterback Bryce Young. In his first season as the starter for the Tide, the moment never looked too big or too bright for the superb sophomore.
His calming presence helped guide Alabama back to another playoff appearance when most thought the 2021 season would be a rebuilding year for Nick Saban and Tide.
Young had the opportunity to sit down with Gene Wojciechowski of ESPN’s College GameDay to reflect on the 2021 season and how he learned to respect winning and the secret behind his ability to remain still during a flood of chaos.
Heisman winner Bryce Young is known for being calm and collected, but that wasn't always the case.
Young looks back on Alabama's defining moment and how they learned to respect winning again. pic.twitter.com/lAgNNte0R3
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) December 31, 2021
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The improved play of Jordan Battle and DeMarcco Hellams has transformed the ‘Bama defense
Even though I believe the saying “defense wins championships” is now dated in the modern era of college football, I still think playing quality defense is important.
Early in the 2021 season, the Alabama defense struggled at times. Whether it was the abysmal rush defense against the Florida Gators or the busted coverages that led to a loss against Texas A&M, the defense was not performing at a championship level.
Late in the season, you started to see a much-improved defense step on the field. A lot of that had to do with the play of Alabama safeties, Jordan Battle and DeMarcco Hellams.
Both Battle and Hellams are currently playing the best football of their Alabama careers.
In the SEC Championship Game against the Georgia Bulldogs, both Battle and Hellams played really solid with each recording an interception off of Stetson Bennett. Hellams’ interception came in the red zone halting a Bulldogs drive, while Battle turned his into a pick-six.
In the last three contests, Battle and Hellams have combined for 44 tackles and two interceptions.
If Battle and Hellams can continue their good play, the Alabama defense should be in good shape for another run at a championship.
Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for all the latest on the Crimson Tide!
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Alabama vs. Cincinnati: Game day information, how to watch, stream, listen
We have finally made it to the eve of the playoff semifinal matchup between No. 1 Alabama and No. 4 Cincinnati.
Since the inception of the playoff in 2014, Alabama has made more appearances (7) than any other program in the country. The Tide also has an incredible 8-3 record and has won a total of three championships during the playoff era.
This is not the case for the underdog Bearcats. Friday will be the first time that Cincinnati has ever competed in the playoff.
Will the Tide’s playoff experience payoff with another victory? I guess we’ll find out tomorrow.
Here is how you can catch all of the action!
Kickoff, How to Watch/Stream/Listen
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. CT, Friday, Dec. 31
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Television: ESPN (Sean McDonough, Todd Blackledge, Molly McGrath, Laura Rutledge)
Live Stream: fuboTV (try it free)
Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network/ TuneIn app
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Stream college football games from the SEC, Big 12, The American, and more on ESPN+
Roll Tide Wire staff predictions for Alabama’s semifinal matchup with Cincinnati!
The playoff semifinals are so close you can almost taste it. Alabama and Cincinnati are set to battle on New Year’s Eve for a chance to play for the national championship on Jan. 10.
Alabama is currently a 13.5 point favorite over the Bearcats and it is hard to find many avenues in which Cincinnati can pull off the upset.
As my good friend and site editor, AJ Spurr, so eloquently puts it, ”It’s now time for everyone’s least anticipated part of the day! My unqualified, unwarranted and unsolicited score prediction.”
| Alabama (-13.5) | Record ATS | Winner | Record Overall | |
| AJ Spurr | Alabama | 6-4 | Alabama | 9-1 |
| Stacey Blackwood | Alabama | 6-4 | Alabama | 8-1 |
| Layne Gerbig | Alabama | 5-5 | Alabama | 8-1 |
I have been a Group of 5 advocate for years, so this one stings a bit. Cincinnati is a very solid team that would, in my mind, be ranked this season as a Power 5 team. This game carries implications well beyond a national championship, it tells the nation that playing in a conference outside of the main five doesn’t equate to less talent. That being said, the Bearcats are tasked with making such a statement against the poster child for the game. No doubt they come out swinging, but how many punches land? My guess is not too many, but enough to prove that the program rightfully deserves the respect that’s been withheld in recent years.
Alabama 45, Cincinnati 17
Despite the injuries and COVID distractions, Alabama seems to be more focused than ever. Cincinnati just doesn’t have the horses to hang with the Tide for a full four quarters. Bryce Young and the Alabama offense will find its rhythm and Will Anderson Jr. and the defense will be swarming. Alabama takes care of business on New Year’s Eve.
Alabama 38, Cincinnati 17
The talent gap is too large between these two programs, and while I love seeing a Group of 5 program getting a shot at the playoff, I’m not convinced that Cincinnati can keep up with the Tide.
Alabama 48, Cincinnati 21
You can watch Alabama and Cincinnati battle it out this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN!
All Betting Lines are courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook.
Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for all the latest on the Crimson Tide!
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.
