Dec 31, 20212 min read

CFB: 2021 College Football Playoff preview

Cotton Bowl (December 31)

#1 Alabama (12-1, 7-1)

#4 Cincinnati (13-0, 8-0)

Following the 41-24 win over previously top ranked Georgia in the SEC championship, Alabama is favored to reach the College Football Playoff championship game for the 6th time in the last seven seasons. The Crimson Tide will have to beat AAC champion Cincinnati on Friday as the Bearcats became the first Group of Five program to earn a playoff berth. Cincinnati is 13-0 and allows 16.1 points per game with an extremely sound secondary in Sauce Gardner and Coby Bryant. Luke Fickell's defense will be tasked with slowing down the Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young and Nick Saban's offense that scores 42.2 points per game. Will Anderson will also be a major factor as Alabama closes at 13.5-point favorites.

Best Players Ranked:

1. Bryce Young (Alabama QB)

2. Will Anderson (Alabama LB)

3. Evan Neal (Alabama LT)

4. Sauce Gardner (Cincinnati CB)

5. Jameson Williams (Alabama WR)

Orange Bowl (December 31)

#2 Michigan (12-1, 8-1)

#3 Georgia (12-1, 8-0)

Jim Harbaugh finally broke through the Big Ten and into the playoff, where the Wolverines will take on SEC runner-up Georgia on New Year's Eve. Both teams are 12-1 with elite running games and imposing defenses. The Bulldogs have the top ranked defense in the nation, allowing just 81.7 rushing yards and 9.5 points per game. Butkus Award winner Nakobe Dean will match up with Michigan's multifaceted rushing attack of Hassan Haskins, Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. The Wolverines average 223.8 rushing yards per game. According to Nicola Auerbach, All-Big Ten defensive back Daxton Hill arrived in Miami on Thursday and is expected to play. The Bulldogs are 7.5-point favorites before kick off in Miami.