One way or another, history will be made at Friday’s Cotton Bowl. Cause by the Cincinnati Bearcats emerging as the first Group of Five program to make the College Football Playoff. UC’s “reward” for this achievement is a date with the most powerful dynasty in college football history. Under coach Nick Saban, the Alabama Crimson Tide has won six national championships. Alabama was sluggish for much of the season before rallying for a dominant upset win over the #1-ranked Georgia Bulldogs. The great lesson of that game was never to doubt Nick Saban. Many gamblers paid the ultimate price for laying the 6-points to the Nicktator.
The Cincinnati Bearcats will face the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. This game will take place on Friday, December 31, 2021, at 3:30 p.m. ET, with television coverage on ESPN. This matchup is the first of two College Football Playoff Games that will take place on New Year’s Eve.
College Football Betting at BookMaker.eu
Cincinnati Bearcats +13.5
Alabama Crimson Tide -13.5
Total 57.5
Odds Analysis
Alabama opened as a 13.5-point favorite over Cincinnati with a total of 58.
It would be difficult to find if there is a team in any sport more “public” on the board than the Alabama Crimson Tide. Backed with the sport’s ultimate name-brand, Alabama has a reputation with the masses that is difficult for oddsmakers to keep up with. Squares are terrified of stepping out with a Group of Five team like Cincinnati against the 800-pound gorilla from the SEC. Thus, the overwhelming majority of betting action will go on the dynasty and the GOAT of college football coaches.
Wise Guys never like to make the big lay, especially against a quality team. What gets lost in all of the noise about this game is that Cincinnati is a good team. But the sharps realize that the Bearcats did not face the quality of schedule that the Crimson Tide had to deal with. Also, the roster depth of the Crimson Tide is a distinct advantage as well. Wise Guys are also mindful of the many times Alabama beat down a quality opponent. No greater testament to the Crimson Tide’s ability can be found than their emasculation of Georgia in the SEC Championship Game.
Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati enters this game with a record of 13-0 straight up, 8-5 against the spread, and 6-7 under the total. The Bearcats have covered three consecutive games, with two of those three games staying under the total. UC ranks 8th in the nation for scoring offense and 5th for points allowed. In their last game, the Bearcats paid at home against Houston 35-10 as 10.5-point favorites in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game.
Senior quarterback Desmond Rider is the marquee man for the Bearcats. Ridder compiled a 164.8 QB rating good for 3190 yards passing, 9.0 yards per pass, and a 30/8 TD/INT ratio.
Alabama Crimson Tide
The Alabama Crimson Tide has a record of 12-1 straight up, 7-6 against the spread, and 7-6 over the total. Alabama ranks 4th in the country for scoring offense and 20th for points allowed. Alabama has failed to cover three of its last five games. Three of those five games went under the total. Alabama is coming off a 41-24 win over Georgia as 6-point dogs in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game.
Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Bryce Young closed well to win the award. Young has a 175.5 QB rating with 4322 yards passing, 9.4 yards per attempt, and a 43/4 TD/INT ratio.
Cincinnati vs. Alabama Prediction
Cincinnati is a quality football program that has earned national respect. But if a Georgia team was whipped by 17 points to the Crimson Tide, what does that bode for Cincinnati?
BookMaker Pick: Alabama Crimson Tide
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