Cincinnati made college football history, becoming the first Group of Five program to make it to the College Football Playoff. For their efforts, they get to face top-seeded Alabama, the program with more Playoff experience than any other.
Semifinals haven't gone well for Alabama opponents. The Crimson Tide have made the field every year but 2019–'20, and are 5–1 in semifinal games. After losing to Ohio State in a 42–35 classic in 2014–'15, Alabama has five straight semifinal wins over Michigan State, Washington, Clemson, Oklahoma and Notre Dame by an average of 20.2 points.
That doesn't mean you can just write off Cincinnati on New Year's Eve, though.