Home Alabama Cotton Bowl By The Numbers: Alabama vs. Cincinnati

Cotton Bowl By The Numbers: Alabama vs. Cincinnati

by PeteSnydes

Photo courtesy of Alabama athletics

Analytics; a phrase that the sports world has come to love, yet hate at the same time. In today’s analytical-driven space, sports are contrived, consumed and even predicted by the letter of the number and the glory of the stats.

And while Alabama may enter its highly-anticipated College Football Playoff semifinal matchup with Cincinnati as a 13.5-point favorite, the numbers may suggest otherwise. Here’s a look to see how both teams compare for the Cotton Bowl:

Offense

Quarterback

Desmond Ridder - Football - University of Cincinnati Athletics
Photo courtesy of Cincinnati Athletics

Cincinnati – Senior QB, Desmond Ridder

Season Stats: 3,190 passing yards, 30 touchdown passes, eight interceptions, 75.4 QBR, 361 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns

Alabama – Sophomore QB, Bryce Young

Season Stats: 68 completion percentage, 4,322 passing yards, 43 touchdowns, four interceptions, 88.9 QBR

Advantage: Alabama

Running Back

Brian Robinson Jr. - Football - University of Alabama Athletics
Photo courtesy of Alabama Athletics

Cincinnati – Junior RB, Jerome Ford

Season Stats: 200 carries, 1,242 yards, 19 touchdowns, 6.2 yards per rush

Alabama – Senior RB, Brian Robinson Jr.

Season Stats: 223 carries, 1,071 yards, 14 touchdowns, 4.8 yards per rush

Advantage: Cincinnati (Slim)

Wide Receivers

Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams criticizes Ohio State fans - Sports Illustrated

Cincinnati – Alec Pierce, Tre Tucker, Tyler Scott

Senior WR, Alec Pierce – Season Stats: 50 receptions, 867 yards, eight touchdowns, 17.3 yards per catch

Junior WR, Tre Tre Tucker – Season Stats: 32 receptions, 414 yards, two touchdowns, 12.9 yards per catch

Sophomore WR, Tyler Scott – Season Stats: 26 receptions, 477 yards, five touchdowns, 18.3 yards per catch

Alabama – Jameson Williams, John Metchie III (OUT), Slade Bolden

Junior WR, Jameson Williams – Season Stats: 68 receptions, 1,445 yards, 15 touchdowns, 21.3 yards per catch

Junior WR, Slade Bolden – Season Stats: 32 receptions, 333 yards, two touchdowns, 10.4 yards per catch

Junior WR, John Metchie III – Season Stats: 96 receptions, 1,142 yards, eight touchdowns, 11.9 yards per catch

Advantage: Alabama (Even with Metchie out)

Tight Ends

Josh Whyle - Football - University of Cincinnati Athletics
Photo courtesy of Cincinnati Athletics

Cincinnati – Josh Whyle, Leonard Taylor

Junior TE, Josh Whyle – Season Stats: 25 receptions, 320 yards, six touchdowns, 12.8 yards per catch

Senior TE, Leonard Taylor – Season Stats: 27 receptions, 274 yards, four touchdowns, 10.1 yards per reception

Alabama – Cameron Latu, Jahleel Billingsley

Junior TE, Cameron Latu – Season Stats: 20 receptions, 299 yards, six touchdowns, 14.9 yards per catch

Jahleel Billingsley – Season Stats: 16 receptions, 244 yards, three touchdowns, 15.3 yards per catch

Advantage: Cincinnati

Overall Offensive Numbers

Team Stats

Points Per Game 39.2 42.2
Total Yards 428.1 495.5
Yards Passing 248.7 347.9
Yards Rushing 179.4 147.6



Advantage: Alabama

Defense

Defensive Line

Byron Young to see his role increase on Alabama's defensive line

Cincinnati – Curtis Brooks, Jowon Briggs, Myjai Sanders, Jabari Taylor

Senior DL, Curtis Brooks – Season Stats: 50 tackles, 7.5 sacks, forced fumble, fumble recovery

Sophomore DL, Jowon Briggs – Season Stats: 41 tackles, three sacks

Senior DL, Myjai Sanders – Season Stats: 34 tackles, 2.5 sacks, fumble recovery, five passes defended

Senior DL, Jabari Taylor – Season Stats: 28 tackles, two sacks, forced fumble, fumble recovery

Alabama – Phidarian Mathis, Byron Young, Tim Smith

Senior DL, Phidarian Mathis – Season Stats: 46 tackles, eight sacks, forced fumble, two fumble recoveries

Junior DL, Byron Young – Season Stats: 38 tackles, two sacks

Sophomore DL, Tim Smith – Season Stats: 25 tackles, 0.5 sacks, pass defended

Advantage: Cincinnati

Linebackers

Darrian Beavers - Football - University of Cincinnati Athletics
Photo courtesy of Cincinnati athletics

Cincinnati – Joel Dublanko, Darrian Beavers, Deshawn Pace, Ty Van Fossen

Senior LB, Joel Deblanko – Season Stats: 106 tackles, 5.5 sacks, forced fumble, fumble recovery, interception

Senior LB, Darrian Beavers – Season Stats: 88 tackles, three sacks, forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, interception, two passes defended

Sophomore LB, Deshawn Pace – Season Stats: 86 tackles, 0.5 sacks, fumble recovery, four interceptions, two passes defended

Junior LB, Ty Van Fossen – Season Stats: 62 tackles, sack, fumble recovery

Alabama – Henry To’oTo’o, Will Anderson Jr., Dallas Turner

Junior LB,ย Henry To’oTo’o – Season Stats: 100 tackles, four sacks, forced fumble, pass defended

Sophomore LB, Will Anderson Jr. – Season Stats: 91 tackles, 15.5 sacks, two passes defended

Freshman LB, Dallas Turner – Season Stats: 25 tackles, 5.5 sacks, fumble recovery

Advantage: Alabama

Safeties

Jordan Battle - Football - University of Alabama Athletics
Photo courtesy of Alabama athletics

Cincinnati – Byran Cook, Ja’von Hicks

Senior Safety, Byran Cook – Season Stats: 87 tackles, sack, interception, nine passes defended

Senior Safety, Ja’von Hicks – Season Stats: 48 tackles, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions, three passes defended

Alabama – Jordan Battle, DeMarcco Hellams

Junior Safety, Jordan Battle – Season Stats: 74 tackles, three interceptions, two touchdowns, three passes defended

Junior Safety, DeMarcco Hellams – Season Stats: 74 tackles, three interceptions, three passes defended

Advantage: Alabama

Cornerbacks

Bearcats' Ahmad Gardner has one cool nickname: Sauce

Cincinnati – Coby Bryant, Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner

Senior CB, Coby Bryant – Season Stats: 40 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, touchdown, 11 passes defended

Junior CB, Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner – Season Stats: 35 tackles, three sacks, forced fumble, three interceptions, four passes defended, no touchdowns allowed

Alabama – Josh Jobe (OUT), Kool-Aid McKinstry

Senior CB, Josh Jobe – Season Stats: 38 tackles, two interceptions, four touchdowns

Freshman CB, Kool-Aid McKinstry – Season Stats: 17 tackles, sack, interception, pass defended

Advantage: Cincinnati

Overall Defensive Numbers

Team Stats

Points Allowed Per Game 16.1 20.2
Pass Yards Allowed 168.3 223.3
Rush Yards Allowed 137.5 82.8



Advantage: Even

Conclusion: Take the points

Related Articles

Leave a Reply