While a double-digit spread in a game of this magnitude may seem daunting, it is actually incredibly common for the College Football Playoff semifinals, historically, to end in decisively. Cincinnati enters with a top-tier secondary and difference-making quarterback that should give Alabama fits on occasion. However, the Crimson Tide have significantly more team talent down the roster not to mention a coaching edge when you consider Nick Saban's success rate when given more than one week to prepare for an opponent. If Bama can establish the run early, it will open up the passing game for Bryce Young. The Tide have rounded into form at just the right time.

COTTON BOWL -- Alabama Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young tore up that top-rated Georgia defense in the SEC title game but also lost wideout John Metchie III (96 catches, 1,142 yards, eight TDs) for a season-ending injury. Now the Bearcats can focus on Jameson Williams (1,445 yards, 15 TDs). And what if I told you that Cincinnati's secondary is better than Georgia's? Coby Bryant won the Thorpe Award and Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner became UC's third ever consensus All-American. UC ranks No. 1 nationally in pass efficiency defense (100.47). Alabama actually hasn't run the ball all that great this year, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. Maybe I'm just trying to talk myself into this pick or I despise the Tide, but I think this will be competitive.

Let's get one thing out of the way first. If Alabama crushes Cincinnati in this game, it doesn't mean it didn't deserve to be there, it just means Alabama is awesome. That said, I do think there's a good chance Alabama cruises to an easy victory here. While the Bearcats have excellent players, they do not have the depth of talent that Alabama has everywhere on the field, and that should prove to be the difference over 60 minutes.

I know America wants Cincinnati to pose a threat to the Crimson Tide, but it simply doesn’t. The Crimson tide made adjustments up front on the offensive line prior to the Georgia game, and it worked wonders en route to the SEC title. While I love Cincy’s secondary, there are way too many weapons for coach Nick Saban despite the loss of John Metchie III.

I love the matchups in this game. Cincinnati has NFL-level defensive backs and pass rushers, and they will face the pro-level receivers and offensive tackles of Alabama. Those components should yield a close game. This feels a lot like the 2009 Sugar Bowl between Alabama and Utah, which the Utes won 31-17. Cincinnati is more than capable of holding its own on both sides of the ball.