Alabama LB on Cincinnati Matchup: ‘I Feel Like We’re the Underdog’

The linebacker praised the Bearcats' offensive line and quarterback before he made the proclamation.

Cincinnati is the first Group of 5 team to ever qualify for the College Football Playoff and it drew one of the hardest matchups in all of sports: Alabama. The undefeated Bearcats will face the Crimson Tide as significant underdogs in the Cotton Bowl. One Alabama player doesn’t see his team as a favorite, though. 

“I feel like we’re the underdog in this game,” Alabama linebacker Will Anderson told reporters on Monday. “All year we’ve been disrespected. Pretty sure we’re probably still getting disrespected out there.”

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The unanimous All-American had a sensational sophomore campaign that saw him tally 91 tackles and 15.5 sacks and he clearly isn’t taking Cincinnati lightly. Neither is Alabama defensive coordinator Pete Golding. 

“Obviously I think they’re undefeated for a reason,” Golding told reporters. 

Anderson went on rave about Cincinnati’s offensive line and quarterback Desmond Ridder who he says does a great job of making plays outside of the pocket.

No. 1 Alabama (12–1) is scheduled to face No. 4 Cincinnati (13–0) in the Cotton Bowl on Friday at 3:30 p.m. The Tide are favored by 13.5 points at AT&T Stadium.

More College Football: 

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• Saban Says Loss to Texas A&M Helped With Alabama's Maturity
• Garrett Wilson, Ohio State Stars Make Decisions on Rose Bowl

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