Tide Rolls over Bearcats; Title Game Next
Alabama handily defeated the Cinderella story Cincinnati Bearcats 27-6.
By: Dave in Tuscaloosa
Alabama wide out Ja’Corey Brooks hauls in a 44 yard touchdown with just over a minute and a half remaining in the first half. Photo by UA/CrimsonTidePhotos
Alabama fans, I am not sure we can truly comprehend exactly where our beloved Crimson Tide program currently stands. After yet another dominant semi final performance, the Tide is once again headed to the college football national title game, and Coach Nick Saban is seeking his 8th championship. These are unprecedented times indeed.
After falling to Texas A&M in October, the gig was supposed to be up. Struggling for three quarters against Tennessee, almost falling to an undermanned LSU squad, having to recover an onsides kick to secure a close win over Arkansas…remember the first 58 minutes against Auburn? And the “rat poison” that surrounded the SEC title game against Georgia? This team was labeled as overrated, not up to the Bama standard, and simply put, it wasn’t supposed to be their year. Yet, they are now one of the last two teams standing, and the Crimson Tide will be playing for the program’s 4th national title in the last 8 years, and second in a row, on January 10th after disposing of the feisty and previously unbeaten Cincinnati Bearcats 27-6 in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The win pushed the Tide’s overall record in semifinal games to 6-1, and improved Bama’s record in AT&T Stadium to 6-0. Furthermore, the Tide will be advancing to its 6th national title appearance in the college football playoff era, which has only been in existence for eight years. Unprecedented times indeed, take two.
There will be many that say that after the lopsided loss, Cincinnati did not belong in the playoff, which is an incorrect statement. Yes, the Bearcats were outgained 482 to 218 yards, could only garner 13 first downs (the Tide picked up 27), and ended up going 2 for 12 on 3rd downs, yet Cincinnati put up a good fight and hung in the game for three quarters. The Bama offensive and defensive lines asserted themselves as dominant, and the offensive line in particular continued its resurgence as it opened up large running lanes against the overmatched Bearcat defensive front. Tide senior tailback Brian Robinson had a career day on the ground, rushing for an Alabama bowl record 204 yards on 26 carries. Sophomore Trey Sanders was also impressive, gaining 67 yards on 14 carries.
Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young was kept in check, passing for a season low 181 yards on a 17-28 night. At times, Young looked uncomfortable in the pocket and he had several uncharacteristic poor throws against a talented NFL ready secondary (including a bad overthrow in the 3rd quarter that was intercepted), yet he still hit clutch passes when needed and he did toss 3 touchdown passes, giving him 44 on the season, which set an Alabama record. Young now owns the Tide record for most passing yards in a season as well (4,503 and counting). The vaunted Cincinnati secondary played well, limiting top receiver Jamison Williams to 7 catches for 62 yards and no touchdowns. Yet freshman Ja’Corey Brooks had a nice night, catching 4 passes for 66 yards, which included a beautiful 44 yard strike late in the 2nd quarter that gave Bama a 17-3 lead heading into half.
Defensively, the Tide have steadily improved throughout the season and will enter the national championship tilt playing its best ball of the season. They limited the high flying Bearcat offense and quarterback Desmond Ritter (17 for 32, 144 yards) and standout tailback Jerome Ford (15 carries for 77 yards) well below their average of 429 yards and 38 points per game. Led by Will Anderson, the Tide front seven recorded 6 sacks of Ritter and limited the Bearcat offense to essentially three drives on the day, which resulted in two field goals and a deep drive that was stopped on downs. Perhaps more impressive is the continued growth of the Tide secondary, who played another terrific game, made plays on passes, and after being penalized for 17 pass interference calls throughout the season, was not flagged against Cincinnati. No better time for this unit to peak.
Bama took the opening kickoff and took advantage of the Cincinnati defense dropping 8 men into coverage by starting the game with 10 consecutive runs, setting the tone early. Young’s first pass was a 8 yard touchdown strike to Slade Bolden that culminated an 11 play, 75 yard drive that gave the Tide a 7-0 early lead and provided all of the points Alabama would need. Cincinnati answered with an impressive 13 play, 60 yard drive that stalled at the Bama 9 and ended with a Cole Smith 33 yard field goal to cut the lead to 7-3. A key play on the drive took place on second and goal, when Bearcat receiver Alec Pierce was wide open on a slant but a sure touchdown pass was batted down at the line of scrimmage, forcing a field goal attempt. Bama would then march right down the field again, but faced a 4th and goal from the 3 yard line and Coach Saban chose to kick a field goal. After a false start penalty on Bama, Will Reichard hit his 17th field goal of the year from 26 yards out to stretch the lead to 10-3 early in the second quarter. Bama’s D would stiffen and hold Cincinnati to one first down in the quarter. Meanwhile, the Tide would miss a 44 yard field goal but ended the quarter with the Young to Brooks 44 yard TD to enter halftime up 17-3.
Cincinnati would control the third quarter, yet come away with only 3 points. The Bearcats opening drive of the half gained 56 yards on 11 plays, stalling at the Tide 19 yard line. Smith would hit his second field goal from 37 yards out to pull the Bearcats within 11. Later in the quarter, Young threw an interception and Cincinnati started a critical drive that could have gotten them back in the game from their own 49. Aided by a Will Anderson sack on third down, the Bama D rose to the occasion and forced the Bearcats into a three and out. The Alabama offense would kick things into gear, marching 70 yards on 9 plays ending with a Young to Cameron Latu 9 yard touchdown pass to up the score to 24-6 with 13:52 left to play. The key play in the drive was a 20 yard Young to Williams completion on 3rd and 16 from the Bama 24. Cincinnati would answer with an 8 play, 49 yard drive that stalled on downs at the Tide 22 with 10:22 to go. Young and company would drain most of the remaining clock with a 9 play, 49 yard drive that ended with a Will Reichard 43 yard field goal that would end the scoring.
Nick Saban and the Tide will now face a Georgia Bulldog team in the national championship game that will be primed and ready to enact revenge for their one setback this season. Yet, Bama is certainly hitting its stride and the struggles against the likes of Florida, Texas A&M, Tennessee, LSU, Arkansas, and Auburn seem like distant memories. With the Tide playing their most complete ball, can they defy the odds once again and upend the talented, veteran Georgia squad on the sport’s biggest stage, or is this Georgia’s year? We will know on the 10th, and if the Tide can find a way to roll over the Dawgs again, these unprecedented times will reach a new level of absolute absurdity indeed.