Preview and predictions for 2021 College Football Playoff

Cotton Bowl prediction

Many are assuming that Alabama will cruise past Cincinnati and that may well be true but it’s going to be harder than some realize.

The Bearcats aren’t going to be intimidated. They won at fifth-ranked Notre Dame, plus nearly beat Georgia last year in a bowl game. All that matters and the fact is that Alabama hasn’t been invincible this season.

Of course, having the Heisman Trophy winner helps and the Heisman winners have been hard to beat in playoff games over the years, with only Oklahoma’s winners (Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray) losing their opening playoff game.

Luke Fickell will get a chance to prove he belongs in the conversations with Nick Saban and he was part of the Ohio State coaching staff (co-DC) that upset Alabama in 2014, so there is some history between the two sides.

Cincinnati isn’t your typical Group of Five team in terms of talent, but the Bearcats also don’t have the horses of Alabama, who will win the game but in a more competitive game than expected.

2021 College Football Playoff prediction: Alabama 41, Cincy 31