Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. drew some raised eyebrows when he said earlier this week that he felt like his top-ranked Crimson Tide were underdogs against undefeated Cincinnati. The sports books didn't agree with this notion, as Alabama came into the game favored by nearly two touchdowns.
It took one half to demonstrate just how off base Anderson's pregame assessment was.
Alabama dominated in the opening two quarters, out-gaining Cincinnati 302 yards to 76 to open a 17–3 lead. The Tide punted just once in five possessions, and could have had more points were it not for a missed 44-yard field goal late in the second quarter.