Alabama is an immovable force atop the Football Bowl Subdivision. But Cincinnati is the only unbeaten team in the country. Michigan is surging into the postseason after rolling through the top challengers in the Big Ten. But Georgia was already being compared to some of the dominant teams in recent history before falling to Alabama in the SEC championship game.
Something has to give as these four teams prepare for New Year’s Eve and the College Football Playoff national semifinals.
In the Cotton Bowl (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), No. 1 Alabama looks to advance to another championship game while No. 4 Cincinnati aims to make more history as the first Group of Five team to win a playoff game.
And in the Orange Bowl (7:30 ET, ESPN), No. 2 Michigan takes on No. 3 Georgia in a matchup of two teams with far more similarities than differences.
There’s an argument for why each team has what it takes to win on Friday and play for the national championship on Jan. 10. These reasons stand out:
Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) celebrates his rushing touchdown with tight end Jahleel Billingsley during the second quarter against the Bulldogs in the SEC championship game.
Why Alabama will beat Cincinnati
Because of Bryce Young. This year’s Heisman Trophy winner carried Alabama to an SEC championship with one of the best three-game runs by a quarterback in program history. He went for 421 yards and three touchdowns in the win against Georgia, accounting for almost half of all passing scores allowed by the Bulldogs during the regular season. While not the only star quarterback in the Orange Bowl, Young gives the Crimson Tide a major edge in the chase for another championship.
Because of history. Alabama dropped the Sugar Bowl to Ohio State in the first year of the playoff format…
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