USA TODAY
Cincinnati has made history as the first Group of Five team to reach the College Football Playoff. As a reward, the Bearcats will meet the greatest dynasty in the history of the sport.
Fresh off a 41-24 win against Georgia to win the SEC championship, Alabama enters the semifinal in the Cotton Bowl as roughly a two-touchdown favorite. The Crimson Tide are looking to win a second straight championship and seventh overall under coach Nick Saban.
It’s against this run of dominance that Cincinnati tiptoes onto the biggest stage ever given to a team outside the five major conferences.