Alabama took care of business in the Cotton Bowl, using a physical brand of football to send #4 Cincinnati home by a score of 27-6. It was far from a perfect performance, but it was ultimately dominant and, most importantly, a win.
First, let’s start with the good. For one game, the defense looked as strong as it has in a decade. Cincinnati’s 76 first half yards were a record low for any half in the College Football Playoff. and they didn’t have much more luck in the second. The Bearcats were able to find a bit of running room at times, but the pass rush was ferocious and there didn’t seem to be much separation against Alabama’s depleted secondary. Brian Branch played like a man possessed,…
