Can Cincinnati’s secondary lock down Alabama’s wide receivers?

Alabama and Cincinnati will provide good matchups in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl.

Luke Fickell has the Bearcats with the best pass defense in college football. Cincinnati leads the nation for passing yards allowed (168.3 ypg) and defensive pass efficiency rating (100.5). As champions of the American Athletic Conference, the Bearcats have 18 interceptions — including 12 from its secondary. Cincinnati gave up 10 touchdown passes; the fourth-fewest in Division I FBS.

Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner is the Bearcats’ leader in the secondary. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder is one of the nation’s best cornerbacks. He totals three interceptions, four pass breakups, and 35 tackles for Cincinnati. According to a graphic…