The Alabama Crimson Tide are looking for a chance to defend their national championship in this year's title game, but first they'll have to go through college football's Cinderella team, the Cincinnati Bearcats, in the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Eve.
The first College Football Playoff semifinal matchup on New Year’s Eve features defending champion and No. 1 Alabama facing Cinderella No. 4 seed Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl.
The Tide are 13.5-point favourites to win on the college football odds with a total of 58 points.
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic Betting Analysis
The College Football Playoff is old hat at this point for Nick Saban’s Alabama team. The Crimson Tide have won it three times, including last season (but not yet back-to-back) and have reached the playoff seven times; the rest of this year’s field has a combined four appearances. Alabama is the No. 1 seed for a fifth time. It has won a title as the No. 1 (2020 season), No. 4 (2017 season) and No. 2 (2015 season). To no surprise, the Tide are +113 favourites to repeat.
Cincinnati is the first Group of 5 school to reach the playoff, which means from a conference other than the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC. The Bearcats will be headed to the Big 12 in a couple of years. A No. 4 seed like the Bearcats has won the title twice. They are the only unbeaten team in the country, and that earned Luke Fickell the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year Award. The Bearcats are +1400 long shots for the national title.
It’s the sixth all-time meeting between Alabama and Cincinnati. The Tide lead 5-0 and won those games by a combined score of 156-27, but they haven’t played since 1990.
Cincinnati Bearcats
The Bearcats also were unbeaten and American Athletic Conference champions last season but the College Football Playoff committee never gave them a shot to play in the national semifinals. UC ended up losing to Georgia 24-21 in the Peach Bowl before running the table again this year. Winning at then-No. 9 Notre Dame 24-13 in early October was huge to impress the committee. There was no way that group could let the one-loss Irish in the playoff ahead of Cincinnati due to that victory.
UC has one of the winningest QBs in FBS history in Desmond Ridder. His 12,280 career total yards are an AAC and Cincinnati record, and his 116 total TDs are a school record. Defensively, no school has a better cornerback duo than the Bearcats’ Coby Bryant and junior Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner. Bryant won the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s top defensive back, while Gardner became UC’s third ever consensus All-American. Cincinnati and Georgia are the only two teams in the nation that rank in the Top 10 in both scoring offence (the Bearcats average 39.2 ppg) and scoring defence (allow 16.1 ppg). UC is 5-0 ATS in its past five as an underdog.
Alabama Crimson Tide
The Tide were preseason No. 1 but lost that with a 41-38 upset defeat at Texas A&M on Oct. 9. Bama got the top ranking back by dominating then-No. 1 and unbeaten Georgia 41-24 in the SEC title game.
QB Bryce Young clinched the Heisman Trophy that day by throwing for 421 yards and three scores while also rushing for a TD against the nation’s No. 1 defence. Young is the first Alabama QB to ever win the Heisman and it marks the third straight season that a player from the top seed in the College Football Playoff has won it – it was Bama receiver DeVonta Smith last year.
The news was not all good in the SEC title win over Georgia as star Tide receiver John Metchie III, who grew up in Brampton from the age of six until high school, suffered a knee injury that ended his season. He had 96 catches for 1,142 yards and eight scores this season. The Tide are too talented to lose but 13.5 points is too many. Alabama is an unusual 0-6 ATS in its past six Friday games.
College Football Prediction: Who Will Win Cincinnati vs. Alabama?
-
BEARCATS
27 -
CRIMSON TIDE
36
Score
Prediction
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 6 Dec 3:35am | CIN | -13.5 -110 | O +58.5 -110 |
| Closing 31 Dec 8:40pm | CIN | -13 -115 | O +58 -110 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bearcats Team Leaders
| Touchdowns |
20 |
| Rushing |
1242 |
| Passing |
3190 |
| Receiving |
50 |
| Sacks |
7.5 |
| Interceptions |
4 |
| Touchdowns |
16 |
| Rushing |
1071 |
| Passing |
4322 |
| Receiving |
96 |
| Sacks |
15.5 |
| Interceptions |
3 |
| Touchdowns |
0 |
| Rushing |
77 |
| Passing |
144 |
| Receiving |
4 |
| Sacks |
1 |
| Interceptions |
1 |
| Touchdowns |
2 |
| Rushing |
272 |
| Passing |
550 |
| Receiving |
11 |
| Sacks |
3.5 |
| Interceptions |
0 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Crimson Tide Team Leaders
| Touchdowns |
20 |
| Rushing |
1242 |
| Passing |
3190 |
| Receiving |
50 |
| Sacks |
7.5 |
| Interceptions |
4 |
| Touchdowns |
16 |
| Rushing |
1071 |
| Passing |
4322 |
| Receiving |
96 |
| Sacks |
15.5 |
| Interceptions |
3 |
| Touchdowns |
0 |
| Rushing |
77 |
| Passing |
144 |
| Receiving |
4 |
| Sacks |
1 |
| Interceptions |
1 |
| Touchdowns |
2 |
| Rushing |
272 |
| Passing |
550 |
| Receiving |
11 |
| Sacks |
3.5 |
| Interceptions |
0 |
Injuries
Michael Young Jr. (WR)
Jerome Ford (RB)
Cole Smith (K)
Vincent McConnell (OL)
Jadon Thompson (WR)
Jalyn Armour-Davis (DB)
Darrian Dalcourt (OL)
Josh Jobe (DB)
John Metchie III (WR)
Brian Robinson Jr. (RB)
Jojo Earle (WR)
Roydell Williams (RB)
Demarcco Hellams (DB)
Darrian Dalcourt (OL)
Kendall Randolph (TE)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Young Jr. (WR) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 24 / 11 / 21 | 3-0 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Young Jr. is dealing with an unknown issue, and it remains to be seen if he will face Houston in the AAC Football championship. |
|||||
| Jerome Ford (RB) | Ques Sat | Leg - 07 / 11 / 21 | 3-2 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Ford missed the last contest with a left leg injury, and it remains to be seen if he will line up for Saturday's battle with SMU. |
|||||
| Cole Smith (K) | Ques Fri | Undisclosed - 06 / 11 / 21 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Smith is nursing an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will dress for the Cotton Bowl versus Alabama. |
|||||
| Vincent McConnell (OL) | Prob Fri | Undisclosed - 08 / 10 / 21 | 6-4 | 4-6 | + - |
|
McConnell sat out the last two games with an undefined injury, but he is likely to return against Temple on Friday. |
|||||
| Jadon Thompson (WR) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 08 / 10 / 21 | 6-4 | 4-6 | + - |
|
Thompson exited the previous game with an unspecified ailment, and it is unclear if he will play against UCF on Saturday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalyn Armour-Davis (DB) | Prob Fri | Undisclosed - 31 / 12 / 21 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Armour-Davis is expected to lace up for the Cotton Bowl against Cincinnati despite an unspecified ailment. |
|||||
| Darrian Dalcourt (OL) | Ques Mon | Undisclosed - 31 / 12 / 21 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Dalcourt is tending to an undefined injury, and it has yet to be established if he will be active for the College Football National Championship game versus Georgia. |
|||||
| Josh Jobe (DB) | out for season | Foot - 09 / 12 / 21 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Jobe is sidelined for the remainder of the 2021 season after having surgery to repair a foot injury. |
|||||
| John Metchie III (WR) | out for season | Knee - 04 / 12 / 21 | 2-1 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Methie III will miss the rest of the 2021 season with a torn ACL. |
|||||
| Brian Robinson Jr. (RB) | Ques Sat | Leg - 28 / 11 / 21 | 2-1 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Robinson Jr. is tending to a leg injury, and it is unclear if he will be available to battle Georgia in the SEC championship. |
|||||
| Jojo Earle (WR) | Prob Fri | Undisclosed - 14 / 11 / 21 | 3-2 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Earle is battling an undisclosed injury, but it is likely that he will face Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl. |
|||||
| Roydell Williams (RB) | out for season | Knee - 14 / 11 / 21 | 3-2 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Williams will miss the rest of the 2021 season after undergoing knee surgery |
|||||
| Demarcco Hellams (DB) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 13 / 11 / 21 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Hellams exited the previous game due to an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will return against Arkansas on Saturday. |
|||||
| Darrian Dalcourt (OL) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 07 / 11 / 21 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Dalcourt missed the previous game with an ankle issue, and it is undetermined if he will face Arkansas on Saturday. |
|||||
| Kendall Randolph (TE) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 07 / 11 / 21 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
|
Randolph is dealing with an ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will return against New Mexico State on Saturday. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 6 Dec 3:35am CIN -13.5 -110 O +58.5 -110 Closing 31 Dec 8:40pm CIN -13 -115 O +58 -110 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bearcats Team Leaders
Touchdowns 20
Rushing 1242
Passing 3190
Receiving 50
Sacks 7.5
Interceptions 4
Touchdowns 16
Rushing 1071
Passing 4322
Receiving 96
Sacks 15.5
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 0
Rushing 77
Passing 144
Receiving 4
Sacks 1
Interceptions 1
Touchdowns 2
Rushing 272
Passing 550
Receiving 11
Sacks 3.5
Interceptions 0
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Crimson Tide Team Leaders
Touchdowns 20
Rushing 1242
Passing 3190
Receiving 50
Sacks 7.5
Interceptions 4
Touchdowns 16
Rushing 1071
Passing 4322
Receiving 96
Sacks 15.5
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 0
Rushing 77
Passing 144
Receiving 4
Sacks 1
Interceptions 1
Touchdowns 2
Rushing 272
Passing 550
Receiving 11
Sacks 3.5
Interceptions 0
-
Injuries
Michael Young Jr. (WR)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 24 / 11 / 21Jerome Ford (RB)
Ques Sat Leg - 07 / 11 / 21Cole Smith (K)
Ques Fri Undisclosed - 06 / 11 / 21Vincent McConnell (OL)
Prob Fri Undisclosed - 08 / 10 / 21Jadon Thompson (WR)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 08 / 10 / 21Jalyn Armour-Davis (DB)
Prob Fri Undisclosed - 31 / 12 / 21Darrian Dalcourt (OL)
Ques Mon Undisclosed - 31 / 12 / 21Josh Jobe (DB)
out for season Foot - 09 / 12 / 21John Metchie III (WR)
out for season Knee - 04 / 12 / 21Brian Robinson Jr. (RB)
Ques Sat Leg - 28 / 11 / 21Jojo Earle (WR)
Prob Fri Undisclosed - 14 / 11 / 21Roydell Williams (RB)
out for season Knee - 14 / 11 / 21Demarcco Hellams (DB)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 13 / 11 / 21Darrian Dalcourt (OL)
Ques Sat Ankle - 07 / 11 / 21Kendall Randolph (TE)
Ques Sat Ankle - 07 / 11 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Michael Young Jr. (WR) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 24 / 11 / 21 3-0 1-2 + - Young Jr. is dealing with an unknown issue, and it remains to be seen if he will face Houston in the AAC Football championship.
Jerome Ford (RB) Ques Sat Leg - 07 / 11 / 21 3-2 2-3 + - Ford missed the last contest with a left leg injury, and it remains to be seen if he will line up for Saturday's battle with SMU.
Cole Smith (K) Ques Fri Undisclosed - 06 / 11 / 21 3-3 2-4 + - Smith is nursing an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will dress for the Cotton Bowl versus Alabama.
Vincent McConnell (OL) Prob Fri Undisclosed - 08 / 10 / 21 6-4 4-6 + - McConnell sat out the last two games with an undefined injury, but he is likely to return against Temple on Friday.
Jadon Thompson (WR) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 08 / 10 / 21 6-4 4-6 + - Thompson exited the previous game with an unspecified ailment, and it is unclear if he will play against UCF on Saturday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jalyn Armour-Davis (DB) Prob Fri Undisclosed - 31 / 12 / 21 2-0 1-1 + - Armour-Davis is expected to lace up for the Cotton Bowl against Cincinnati despite an unspecified ailment.
Darrian Dalcourt (OL) Ques Mon Undisclosed - 31 / 12 / 21 2-0 1-1 + - Dalcourt is tending to an undefined injury, and it has yet to be established if he will be active for the College Football National Championship game versus Georgia.
Josh Jobe (DB) out for season Foot - 09 / 12 / 21 2-0 1-1 + - Jobe is sidelined for the remainder of the 2021 season after having surgery to repair a foot injury.
John Metchie III (WR) out for season Knee - 04 / 12 / 21 2-1 1-2 + - Methie III will miss the rest of the 2021 season with a torn ACL.
Brian Robinson Jr. (RB) Ques Sat Leg - 28 / 11 / 21 2-1 1-2 + - Robinson Jr. is tending to a leg injury, and it is unclear if he will be available to battle Georgia in the SEC championship.
Jojo Earle (WR) Prob Fri Undisclosed - 14 / 11 / 21 3-2 2-3 + - Earle is battling an undisclosed injury, but it is likely that he will face Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl.
Roydell Williams (RB) out for season Knee - 14 / 11 / 21 3-2 2-3 + - Williams will miss the rest of the 2021 season after undergoing knee surgery
Demarcco Hellams (DB) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 13 / 11 / 21 3-3 2-4 + - Hellams exited the previous game due to an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will return against Arkansas on Saturday.
Darrian Dalcourt (OL) Ques Sat Ankle - 07 / 11 / 21 3-3 2-4 + - Dalcourt missed the previous game with an ankle issue, and it is undetermined if he will face Arkansas on Saturday.
Kendall Randolph (TE) Ques Sat Ankle - 07 / 11 / 21 3-3 2-4 + - Randolph is dealing with an ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will return against New Mexico State on Saturday.