#4 Cincinnati Bearcats vs #1 Alabama Crimson Tide 2021 Cotton Bowl Classic
Our Cincinnati vs Alabama prediction is for the 2021 CFP Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. The #4 Cincinnati Bearcats (13-0) finished at the top of the AAC and took down the title game, beating #21 Houston 35-20. In the SEC West, the #1 Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1) ended up first with a conference record of 7-1. In the SEC title game, they beat #1 Georgia 41-24 to take the championship and secure the first seed in the CPS.
Cotton Bowl Classic Spread and Totals Odds
We have Cincinnati as the underdog at +13.5 (-114). On the other hand, Alabama is favored at -13.5 (-106). The total comes in at 57.0. The over is -107 and under -109. The 2021 CFP Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic will be played at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 pm ET.
Bearcats vs Crimson Tide Pick - Stats
In our Cincinnati vs Alabama prediction, the Crimson Tide is out scoring the Bearcats 42.4-to-39.2 PPG. In terms of defensive points, Cincinnati is a bit better, allowing 16.1 PPG to Alabama’s 20.2. The Tide is recording 495.5 offensive YPG with 347.9 in passing The Cats are averaging 305.8 total offensive yards. Of those yards, 168.3 are passing and 137.5 rushing. Concerning defensive yards, both teams are allowing 306 total YPG. The tide brings one of the best group of pass rushers in college football to this game.
Cincinnati vs Alabama Prediction - Key Players
For Cincinnati, QB Desmond Ridder, who’s completing 65.9 percent of his passes, has tossed 30 TD passes and just eight INTs. He’s been sacked 20 times. Six Bearcats come to this game with 24 or more receptions. WR Alec Pierce tops the team with 50 receptions, 867 yards, and eight scores. RB Jerome Ford has rushed for over 1,200 yards and notched 19 TDs.
Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young (43 TDs, 4 INTs, 33 SCKs) is completing 68.0 percent of his passes. Star WR John Metchie III will not play due to an ACL injury. The good news is WR Jameson Williams (68 REC, 1,445 YDs, 21.3 AVG, 15 TDs) will play. Three other pass catchers with 20 or more receptions will play. RB Brian Robinson Jr. has scored 14 TDs while rushing for 1,071 yards and averaging 4.8 YPA.
Cincinnati vs Alabama Prediction
The Crimson Tide come to this contest primed on offense and defense. The same can be said for the Bearcats. However, Alabama brings premium playing chops to this game. Our Cincinnati vs Alabama prediction for the CFP Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic is the Crimson Tide at -13.5 (-106). We’re looking at a score of somewhere around 30-15. Thus, we also like the under at 57.5 (-109).
Sports Betting Smarts is previewing and predicting every one of this season’s 41 college football bowl games. In the first two weeks, we went 22-10 (69%).
2021 Cotton Bowl Classic - Cincinnati vs Alabama Summary
Spread - Alabama -13.5 (-106)
Over/Under - Under 57.0 (-109)
