Rematch! Alabama and Georgia clearly win semifinals

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The College Football National Championship Game will relaunch the SEC Championship Game: The Alabama Crimson Tide will meet the Georgia Bulldogs in the final on January 10th. For Michigan, and Cincinnati—a significant storyline this collegiate season—the semifinals proved insufficient.

As the inaugural team outside a Power 5 conference, Cincinnati advanced to the playoffs with an undefeated season. The Bearcats’ reward? A showdown with Alabama at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas—a game Alabama secured 27-6.

A pivotal pre-game question centered on Cincinnati’s ability to contain Alabama’s potent aerial attack; In the SEC Championship Game, Alabama and quarterback Bryce Young decimated Georgia’s esteemed defense with a dazzling display of passing plays.

The Bearcats, boasting a highly-regarded secondary anchored by top cornerback Ahmad Gardner, fared better in this aspect. Young (17/28, 181 YDS, 3 TD, INT) and his receiving corps, led by Jameson Williams (7 REC, 62 YDS), were far less impressive than their performance against Georgia four weeks prior.

However, it was the offensive line that faltered. Alabama, less dominant on the ground this year compared to previous seasons, rushed the ball 47 times for 301 yards; Brian Robinson’s 204 rushing yards established a new Alabama bowl record.

Robinson: “Demonstrated Superior Physicality”

“We demonstrated our superior physicality,” Robinson declared afterward, expressing a degree of surprise: “We anticipated opportunities to run. But I didn’t foresee myself in the spotlight. “

Cincinnati’s head coach, Luke Fickell, whose defense had previously allowed only 137 rushing yards per game, concurred with Robinson’s initial assertion: “We knew the line of scrimmage battles would be crucial.

	1st quarter	2nd quarter	3rd quarter	4th quarter	Final score
No. 4 Cincinnati	3	0	3	0	6
No. 1 Alabama	7	10	0	10	27
	1st quarter	2nd quarter	3rd quarter	4th quarter	Final score
No. 3 Georgia	14	13	0	7	34
No. 2 Michigan	0	3	0	8	11

Georgia’s Triumph over Michigan: Bennett’s Stellar Performance

Unlike the Alabama-Cincinnati matchup, Georgia’s victory against Michigan in the second semifinal lacked suspense. The Bulldogs exhibited complete control, securing a decisive 34-11 win.

Georgia established a commanding 14-0 lead after the initial period and extended their advantage to 27-3 by halftime. This dominance stemmed from a powerful ground game (35 attempts, 190 yards) and a stellar defense, complemented by a remarkable performance from quarterback Stetson Bennett (20/30, 313 yards, 3 touchdowns), who had faced criticism earlier in the season.

Bennett delivered one of his finest collegiate performances on a grand stage, earning praise from running back James Cook: “Stetson’s a leader; he ignores negativity. He’s not on social media, uses a basic phone. He tunes out the noise and focuses on football. I admire that.”

Michigan’s pass rush proved ineffective; Aidan Hutchinson, projected by many as a top draft pick, and his teammates struggled, managing only two quarterback hurries.

sport, it would likely foster more engaging and closely contested playoff encounters—a welcome change from the numerous bowl games currently featuring teams lacking top-tier talent, players often preparing for the NFL draft.

The present playoff arrangement appears to yield only limited success for both the playoffs themselves and the top-tier bowl games outside the playoff structure. Consequently, the demand for reform is expected to increase.

## Cinderella Story Ends: Alabama’s Dominance Reigns Supreme in College Football Playoff

The College Football Playoff semifinals delivered a stark contrast in narratives: Alabama’s overwhelming physicality against a valiant Cincinnati team, and Georgia’s complete domination over Michigan. While the final game will see Alabama and Georgia battle for the National Championship on January 10th, the semifinal matchups provided compelling storylines in their own right. [[1]]

Cincinnati, the first team from outside a Power 5 conference to reach the playoff, arrived undefeated. Their ambition, however, met a formidable roadblock in the form of Alabama’s Crimson Tide. The pre-game conversation centered around Cincinnati’s secondary, and whether they could contain Alabama’s potent passing attack. While their defense, anchored by Ahmad Gardner, performed admirably against the usually explosive Bryce Young (17/28, 181 YDS, 3 TD, INT), it was the Crimson Tide’s ground game that proved unstoppable. [[2]]

Alabama, boasting a ground game less dominant than in previous seasons, still managed to rush 47 times for 301 yards. Brian Robinson’s record-breaking 204 rushing yards were the key to Alabama’s 27-6 victory; Robinson himself attributed this success to the Tide’s “superior physicality,” a sentiment echoed by Cincinnati’s coach, Luke Fickell, who acknowledged the importance of winning the line of scrimmage battles.

In stark contrast, Georgia’s victory over Michigan was a masterclass in controlled dominance. The Bulldogs built a commanding lead early, establishing a 27-3 advantage by halftime fueled by strong running (35 attempts, 190 yards) and an outstanding defensive performance. Stetson Bennett, who had previously faced criticism, silenced the doubters with a stellar performance, throwing for 313 yards and 3 touchdowns (20/30). Michigan, despite their strong season, couldn’t match Georgia’s intensity, ultimately falling 34-11.

The final between Alabama and Georgia promises to be a clash of titans. While Cincinnati’s run ended earlier than hoped, their playoff appearance served as an inspirational testament to their hard work and outstanding season. The 2024 College Football Playoff has proven once again that the sport is as unpredictable as it is exciting.