Alabama and Cincinnati will provide good matchups in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl.
Luke Fickell has the Bearcats with the best pass defense in college football. Cincinnati leads the nation for passing yards allowed (168.3 ypg) and defensive pass efficiency rating (100.5).
As champions of the American Athletic Conference, the Bearcats have 18 interceptions — including 12 from its secondary.
Cincinnati gave up 10 touchdown passes; the fourth-fewest in Division I FBS.
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Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner is the Bearcats’ leader in the secondary. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder is one of the nation’s best cornerbacks. He totals three interceptions, four pass breakups, and 35 tackles for Cincinnati. According to a graphic from Pro Football Focus, Gardner has not allowed a reception in the red zone all season.
He prides himself on being a lockdown defender.
Sauce Gardner hasn’t allowed a single catch in the red zone this year 🔒@GoBearcatsFB pic.twitter.com/hJl8Dvcbi8
— PFF College Football (@PFF_College) December 14, 2021
Gardner will face the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner in Bryce Young.
12/4/21 MFB Alabama vs Georgia SEC Championship
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young (9)
Photo by Kent Gidley
The sophomore quarterback has 4,322 passing yards and 43 touchdowns. Young won SEC Offensive Player of the Year, Associated Press Player of the Year, Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Year, and Maxwell Award Player of the Year.
He is also a Consensus All-American for the Tide.
Jameson Williams is Alabama’s big-play receiver.
9/25/21 MFB Alabama vs University of Southern Mississippi
Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams (1)
Photo by University of Alabama
He leads the team for yards (1,445) and touchdowns (15). The 6-foot-2, 189-pounder has incredible speed. Gardner will have his hands full if he’s matched up on Williams. Alabama also has Slade Bolden, Ja’Corey Brooks, Traeshon Holden, Jahleel Billingsley, and Cameron Latu as options. JoJo Earle is expected to play versus Cincinnati, and Christian Leary works at running back and receiver. John Metchie (knee) will be out for the CFP, but the Tide has enough weapons to frustrate the Bearcats on the back end.
We will see who is better between Alabama and Cincinnati.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
