The University of Alabama is not taking Cincinnati lightly in the College Football Playoff.
Both schools are excited to play in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve, and Will Anderson has been pleased with the focus of his Alabama teammates in practice. The sophomore linebacker told reporters on Tuesday that the team has shown ‘great discipline.’
“We are not going to have any problems out of anybody because everyone knows what’s at stake and what we have to do,” Anderson said. “It is a business trip, not a vacation. Everyone is locked in and ready to go.”
Nick Saban put his players through fundamental practices before having one-on-ones.
Anderson said the intensity has been great in the Tide’s preparation.
“We have been coming to practice with a lot of energy,” he said. “It has been fun. We have had a lot of good on good. The energy has been great.”
Alabama’s journey to back-to-back national championships starts with the Bearcats.
Cincinnati will have a team up for the challenge under Luke Fickell at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Tide is 5-0 all-time under Saban at AT&T Stadium, including victories over Michigan State (2015) and Notre Dame (2020) in the CFP. Anderson has mentioned several times all he wants is a national title.
The 6-foot-4, 243-pounder is set to lead his Crimson Tide defense against Desmond Ridder and Cincy.
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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.
