When the Alabama Crimson Tide face off against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Cotton Bowl as 13.5 point favorites according to DraftKings sportsbook, a heavyweight bout will ensue between Cincinnati’s nation leading pass efficiency defense and Alabama’s high octane passing attack that produced the first Heisman QB in school history in sophomore Bryce Young. The Bearcats boast Jim Thorpe winner Coby Bryant at one corner, and this post is meant as no slight to him. He has been outstanding all season.
Still, perhaps no matchup will have a greater impact on the final outcome than the one on the other side, where Biletnikoff winner Jameson Williams will undoubtedly face off against one of the best cornerbacks in the nation in Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner.