It was not the perfect ending to the college football season for Cincinnati and Michigan fans on New Year's Eve.
Alabama's defense stifled Desmond Ridder and the Bearcats' offense in a 27–6 victory for the Crimson Tide. Then, Michigan—which entered the Orange Bowl allowing opponents just 16 points per game—was overwhelmed by Georgia as the Bulldogs came away with a 34–11 win.
With an all-SEC College Football Playoff national championship game coming up, Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan—a former Michigan standout—made it known that Cincinnati made the ultimate sacrifice for all future non-Power 5 schools that appear in the CFP.