Cincinnati Football: 3 takeaways from Cotton Bowl semifinal vs. Alabama

1. Cincinnati proved that Group of Five teams deserve a chance

It might feel weird to say after such a comprehensive loss on such a huge stage, but Cincinnati still made a positive statement in defeat. While the result didn’t end with the Bearcats advancing to the College Football Playoff national championship game, Cincinnati proved on New Year’s Eve at AT&T Stadium that Group of Five teams deserve to be considered for future Playoff berths.

If Cincinnati’s double-digit defeat to the Crimson Tide disqualifies any future Group of Five hopeful from making it onto the bracket, we need to turn around and ask what losing by double digits to Alabama says about other programs that have suffered similar fates in the College Football Playoff.

Michigan State lost by 38 to the Tide back in 2015. Both Washington in 2016 and Notre Dame in 2020 fell by 17 points to Alabama in the semifinals. Clemson collapsed by 18 points when they met the Tide in the 2017 Playoff. Oklahoma played Alabama closest, managing to keep the final score within 11 points when they met in 2018. None of those conferences (except perhaps the Pac-12 at this point) have been summarily dismissed from College Football Playoff consideration.

Cincinnati’s 21-point loss falls right within the 20.2-point margin of victory compiled by the Tide in those previous five victories.

As the Bearcats showed this year, everything had to fall into place to open the door to the College Football Playoff for a Group of Five program. But the results of the Cotton Bowl shouldn’t close that door permanently for however long the Playoff remains a four-team affair.

While the Bearcats head back to Cincinnati disappointed and knocked out of the bracket, they acquitted themselves about as well as any other team has in the College Football Playoff semifinals since Ohio State pipped the Tide in the inaugural edition. Once the emotions settle and the disappointment subsides, the Bearcats can take pride in their 2021 season for the rest of their lives.