The Cincinnati Bearcats matchup against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Cotton Bowl is easily the overlooked game of the College Football Playoff. Most people figure the Crimson Tide will just roll into the championship game. Those people might just be surprised on New Year's Eve.
The Bearcats have earned their place in the College Football Playoff. They are the only undefeated team in the country. Yes, they play in the American conference, where the level of competition is not as great as the Power 5 conferences. But in the one game vs. a legit team, Cincinnati won at Notre Dame 24-13. They dominated most of that game against the team that finished one spot behind them in the final college football rankings.
Here are my bold predictions for Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl against Alabama.
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Cincinnati Bearcats Cotton Bowl Predictions
3. Cincinnati's defense slows down Bryce Young, Alabama offense
Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young took home the sport's highest honor last month. He was awarded the Heisman Trophy and was very deserving. Young finished his first full season with Alabama throwing for 4,322 yards, 43 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He throttled Georgia's elite defense in the SEC Championship. But I believe that was more of an anomaly against the Bulldogs than anything.
I do not believe this Alabama team is the same invincible team we have seen in years past. They have shown chinks in the armor throughout the season. An average Auburn team took them to the wire in the Iron Bowl. Cincinnati's defense is far superior to that at Auburn.
They boast one of the nation's best secondaries, with arguably two guys that will play on Sundays. Cornerbacks Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner and Arquon Brooks each might play at the next level. Gardner is a projected 1st round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Meanwhile, defensive end Myjai Sanders is a projected 2nd round pick. He garners enough attention that it allows linebackers Curtis Brooks and Joel Dublanko to wreak havoc inside.
This game is not going to be played in the 40's, but more like the 20's and maybe the 30's. The Bearcats defense will show up Friday.
2. Bearcats QB Desmond Ridder will play very well
With all of the praise and attention headed Bryce Love's way, it's easy to overlook Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder in this game. By the end of the game, a lot more people in the country will know Ridder's name.
He is another Cincinnati Bearcat who is expected to be play on Sundays. He is currently a projected 2nd round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. On most big boards, Ridder is the 4th QB off the board. He can play.
He finished this year with almost 3,200 yards passing, 30 touchdowns to eight interceptions. He's not working with the same level of talent around him that Bryce Young is either. Yet, he has amazing numbers on deep throws this season.
Desmond Ridder on 20+ yard throws
🎯 96.0 grade
🎯 14 TDs (1st in AAC)
🎯 0 INTs@GoBearcatsFB pic.twitter.com/RUacVN5yFX— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 29, 2021
Ridder is accurate with the football. But what we should see a lot of Friday is the use of his legs. He is mobile. Mobile quarterbacks have tended to give Nick Saban's defense problems over the years. Just ask Johnny Manziel.
1. Cincinnati covers the spread and keeps it close, falls just short
Cincinnati is playing this game and representing all of the underdogs that never got a chance to play in the College Football Playoff. Not all of those teams might have belonged, but this team does. They will show why Friday.
The Bearcats offer a relatively difficult matchup for Alabama. They have a quick-armed, accurate quarterback who can make plays with his legs. Cincinnati has legit NFL players on both sides of the ball.
They can play with Alabama and will do just that. But ultimately, the Crimson Tide will be too much as the game wears on. Nick Saban is notoriously difficult to beat when he has extra time to prepare for an opponent. It will be a one-score game for most of the game, but finished 34-24 Alabama. Cincinnati, hold your head high. You will have done the little guys proud.
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