Cotton Bowl preview: How Cincinnati stacks up vs. Alabama

This year's Cotton Bowl is a clash between defending national title champion Alabama and No. 4 Cincinnati - the first Group of 5 team to qualify for the College Football Playoff.

Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide find themselves in the CFP on New Year's Eve for the seventh time in the current format's eight-year existence.

Here's how the two teams stack up heading into Friday's game in Texas.

No. 1 Alabama

Record: 12-1
Conference champion: Yes
Average scoring margin: 21.3 points (5th)
Opponents' combined record: 86-69 (.554)
Points per game: 42.1 (2nd)
Points allowed per game: 20.8 (20th)
Best wins: 41-24 over Georgia, 42-21 vs. Ole Miss

Close calls

Alabama playing in the CFP semis seems to be an annual tradition, but this year's route to the playoff was anything but routine for Nick Saban's outfit. Losing to Texas A&M made it necessary to win out, and two near defeats to Florida and Auburn almost ended the Crimson Tide's playoff hopes.

After comfortably winning its first two games of the season, Alabama needed a very late stand on a 2-point conversion attempt at Florida that would've sent the game to overtime. While that looked like a quality win at the time, the Gators went just 4-5 to finish the campaign. A defeat in that contest would've likely ended Alabama's hopes of a playoff berth.

The annual Iron Bowl versus Auburn to end the season was even more surprising, especially since Alabama entered as 18-point favorites. While the rivalry always produces a heated affair, the Crimson Tide somehow found themselves down seven in the dying minutes, before Bryce Young took the offense 97 yards in 1:11 to even the game. The Tide would eventually prevail in quadruple overtime.

How Alabama scores

Injuries at the running back position forced Alabama to largely rely on the pass. Young claimed the Heisman Trophy in his first season as starter thanks to this approach. The California native threw for over 4,300 yards with 43 touchdowns against just four interceptions. The passer seems unflappable in the toughest of times and absolutely shredded Georgia's top-ranked defense in the SEC championship game.

Jameson Williams, who immediately became Young's favorite target after transferring from Ohio State, will play an even bigger role Friday after John Metchie was ruled out with a knee injury sustained in the Georgia game.

While the Crimson Tide rely heavily on the pass, Brian Robinson did rush for over 1,000 yards this season and is as healthy as he has been in months.

How Alabama defends

Alabama boasts talent all over the field, but it's Will Anderson Jr. who steals the headlines for the defense. The 6-foot-4 sophomore absolutely terrorized the opposition this season, leading the nation with 29 tackles for loss - a whopping seven more than the next best player. Cincinnati needs to neutralize Anderson to have any chance against the Tide.

No. 4 Cincinnati

Record: 13-0
Conference champion: Yes
Average scoring margin: 22.2 points (3rd)
Opponents' combined record: 69-74 (.482)
Points per game: 39 (7th)
Points allowed per game: 16.8 (6th)
Best wins: 24-13 at Notre Dame, 35-20 vs. Houston

Close calls

Much like Alabama, there were numerous moments this season when Cincinnati's playoff chances didn't look good. The one that immediately stands out is the Bearcats' narrow home win over Tulsa.

After a late turnover, the Golden Hurricane found themselves at the Cincinnati 2-yard line in the dying seconds but couldn't find the end zone on four plays. The final one was perhaps the cruelest, as the Tulsa running back fumbled while reaching over the goal line.

A touchdown and successful 2-point conversion would've pushed the game to overtime and seriously put a dent in Cincinnati's playoff chances.

While Alabama controlled its own destiny, the Bearcats needed help to ensure a playoff berth. They were especially aided by an incredible finish to the Big 12 title game, which ended Oklahoma State's hopes of snagging the No. 4 spot.

How Cincinnati scores

Cincinnati relies on a very balanced attack and wastes no time in jumping on opponents, as the Bearcats rank ninth nationally in first-quarter scoring at nine points per contest.

The quarterback-running back combo of Desmond Ridder and Jerome Ford is among the country's best. Ridder is 11th in quarterback rating nationally, with six different receivers hauling in more than 20 catches this season. He's also a threat on the ground with six rushing scores.

Ford, who started his career at Alabama, is one of the top running backs in the country, averaging over 6 yards a carry this campaign. He piled up the touchdowns, finding the end zone 19 times on the ground, good for seventh nationally.

How Cincinnati defends

While the offense is certainly solid, Luke Fickell's defensive unit supplies the engine. The Bearcats sport the nation's fourth-best defense in yards per play, allowing a paltry 4.2 across the season.

Cincinnati may enter as 13.5-point underdogs, but its pass rush and secondary could give Young and Alabama fits on Friday. Myjai Sanders leads the pass rush with one of the deepest secondary units behind him, headlined by Thorpe Award winner Coby Bryant.

Young's success against the shutdown back end of the Bearcats' defense will likely be the deciding factor Friday night.