Cincinnati vs. Alabama College Football Playoff Bet Preview

The Cincinnati Bearcats will meet up with the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas at AT&T Stadium at 3:30 p.m. on New Year's Eve. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN.

The Bearcats had a perfect regular season for the second year in a row behind the experience and talent of quarterback Desmond Ridder. They are the first Group of Five team to make the College Football Playoff and hope to prove their worth on Friday with their biggest game of the season.

The Crimson tide went 12-1, with their only loss being to Texas A&M early on in the season. The committee looked past this loss after finishing off the season strong and winning the SEC by defeating the Georgia Bulldogs, who were perfect up until that point.

Odds

Alabama is an expected heavy 13.5-point favorite coming into this game. Both teams have the odds of -110 to cover the 13.5-point spread on both sides. The over/under is set at 58, with the odds to bet the over at -105 and under at -115. 

In terms of Moneyline, Alabama has odds of -525 to win, and Cincinnati has odds of +385 to win.

Alabama has been favored by 13.5 points or more this season and has gone 6-5 against the spread in those matchups. Alabama has hit the over five times compared to Cincinnati, who has hit the over six times in their respective games.

By the Numbers

Cincinnati averages 19 more points, and 124 more yards than the Alabama defense has allowed this season. They are the seventh-best scoring offense in the country and rank in the top ten in yards per play and rush.

Their defense ranks sixth in points allowed per game. They also rank in the top ten in opponent yards per game, opponent completion percentage, and takeaways per game. 

When the offense has struggled to find its rhythm this season, the defense has been able to step up.

Heisman winner Bryce Young and the Alabama offense have been potent this year, ranked the third-best scoring offense in college football. They rank first in third down conversion percentage, second in interceptions thrown percentage, and fourth in yards per game.

The defense has been solid in being ranked 18th in opponent points per game. They rank in the top ten in opponent yards per game, opponent yards per rush, and sack percentage. 

Alabama will be looking to disrupt Desmond Ridder and the offensive line to force him into mistakes that the Crimson Tide can capitalize on.

Expected Outcome

This is the biggest stage for the Bearcats this season and even in their history. They have the opportunity to legitimize themselves and prove any of the doubters wrong. The upside to their position is that most common folk will be pulling for the Bearcats to see Alabama fall beside the strong Alabama faithful who will be sure to show out in Dallas.

Alabama will win this game if they can make Desmond Ridder uncomfortable early. They don't want this game to be close going into the second half, and I would bet that it will not be.