Alabama football is heading to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide earned a 27-6 victory over Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Coach Saban is pursuing his eighth national championship and seventh at Alabama.
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Brian Robinson set the tone and led the charge for the Tide on offense. Before facing Cincinnati, Robinson’s career-high for rushing yards was 177 in a win over Ole Miss during the regular season. He owned the Bearcats in Friday’s game.
Robinson captured a new career-high with 204 yards rushing on 26 carries. He averaged 7.8 yards per rushing attempt and collected his fifth 100-yard performance. Bryce Young did not have a pretty performance, but he did have three touchdown passes. Young is now Alabama’s single-season leader for passing yards (4,503) and touchdowns (46) in school history.
Slade Bolden and Ja’Corey Brooks stepped up in John Metchie’s absence. Bolden caught three passes for 31 yards and one touchdown.
Brooks, a freshman, totaled four receptions for 66 yards – including a 44-yard touchdown.
Jameson Williams led the Tide in receptions (seven) for 62 yards. Cameron Latu grabbed Young’s third touchdown in the game.
Defensively, Alabama stifled the Bearcats’ passing game.
Desmond Ridder did not account for a touchdown and totaled 144 passing yards.
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Michael Young was Cincinnati’s leading receiver with four catches for 55 yards. Jerome Ford tallied 77 yards rushing on 15 carries, but the Bearcats failed to establish any balance on offense.
Brian Branch led the Tide with eight total tackles.
He collected two pass breakups, shared a tackle for loss, and shared a sack. Will Anderson had six tackles, two tackles for loss, and two sacks. He is second all-time in school history for single-season sacks with 18.5.
Phidarian Mathis, a fifth-year senior, had two tackles for loss and two breakups.
Alabama totaled six sacks, eight tackles for loss, six breakups, and two quarterback hurries.
Will Anderson won Defensive MVP and Brian Robinson won Offensive MVP.
The Tide will face the winner of Michigan/Georgia for the national championship.
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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.
