Alabama Football: Tide’s report card in CFP Semifinal
By Dakota Cox
How did Alabama football look against Cincinnati?
Despite replacing most of last year’s offense, Alabama football made it back to the top seed in the College Football Playoff. To repeat as national champions, the Tide first had to get through the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Cotton Bowl Classic.
Cincinnati was the only team to make it to the postseason undefeated. They shattered expectations as they made it to the College Football Playoff, but none of that matters when you line up in the postseason. Everything is settled in 60 minutes on the field.
How did Alabama football do in the Cotton Bowl Classic? Here is the Tide’s report card vs. Cincinnati.
Tight Ends: B-
Alabama entered the 2021 season with a lot of hope for the tight ends. Drops and missed blocks limited their impact this year, but Alabama expected more from them in the passing game. John Metchie was out, so having either Jahleel Billingsley or Cameron Latu step up was important if Alabama wanted to dominate.
Alabama did a great job of putting the tight ends in front of receivers to block on screens. However, neither tight end impacted the passing game as a receiver like they could have. Both had targets, but nothing was game-breaking until Latu’s touchdown catch.