Alabama made light work of Cincinnati in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl, to the tune of a 27-6 victory at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Nick Saban is in the national championship game of the College Football Playoff for the sixth time since 2014. The Crimson Tide will face Georgia for supremacy, but some fans wonder why Alabama did not do more against the Bearcats?
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On offense, the Tide had a basic game plan. Coach Saban established a different tempo on the first drive. Alabama pounded Cincinnati’s defensive front with Brian Robinson for ten plays. He carried wimpy tacklers, put moves on players, and ran over athletes. Bryce Young finished the drive with a scoring toss to Slade Bolden, but Alabama’s run game did the damage. Saban had a former Tide offensive line coach, Joe Pendry, step in to help the unit in practices ahead of the matchup with the Bearcats.
He knew Cincinnati was quick, but Saban also knew it was not physical enough to handle a healthy Robinson for four quarters.
Why waste your best plays when you can overwhelm your opponent with simple things?
This process went through Saban’s mind in preparing for Cincy. Bryce Young totaled three touchdowns – including a 44-yard score to freshman target Ja’Corey Brooks – but Alabama’s old-school style produced 301 yards rushing. The Crimson Tide’s vanilla play-calling allowed Robinson to record the most rushing yards (204) by any Alabama running back in a bowl game.
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Saban played chess with national media, the Bearcats, and ultimately, Georgia.
The Bulldogs have no idea what Saban has cooked up for next week. We could see new plays, formations, and personnel groupings. Todd Monken, Georgia’s offensive coordinator, said Alabama will get the Bulldogs ‘best shot’ at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Saban handled Georgia by 17 points in the SEC Championship Game, but being an underdog again has him crafting more in the laboratory. Alabama would have been ready for Georgia or Michigan, but the opportunity to show the SEC title game was not a fluke is what Saban relishes. Cincinnati did not require the tip of Alabama’s offensive arsenal, but the Tide dominated by 21 points and totaled near 500 yards (482). Georgia will get everything at it.
In the game of chess, it is important to make your next move, your best move. Saban may very well be working that for Georgia.
However, if there are any false moves by Georgia on Monday — checkmate.
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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.
