ROOT Cincinnati vs Alabama Gold Standard Play
CFB HANDICAPPERS DELIGHT MONEY MOVE OF MONTH
Handicapper: Wayne Root
League: NCAAF
Competition: Cincinnati vs Alabama
Time: Friday, December 31, 03:30 pm ET
Bet Type: Point Spread
Pick: Cincinnati +14 (-115) (DraftKings)
Rotation #: 273
Analysis:
Gold Standard—-Cincinnati The Cincinnati Bearcats come into the CFP as the only undefeated team at 13-0 but as the biggest underdog of the four teams. Let’s definitely take advantage of that. The Bearcats are not lacking for star power on either side of the ball, however. They have a number of NFL talent looking to move there. Quarterback Desmond Ridder comes into the game with 3,190 yards passing and 30 touchdowns with just 8 interceptions. Ridder has also rushed the ball for 371 yards and six touchdowns. The most impressive number for Ridder may be his career record as Cincinnati's starting QB: 44-5. Ridder is not alone in the stellar Bearcat offense. Running back Jerome Ford, a transfer from Alabama, rushed for 1,242 yards and 19 touchdowns. Alec Pierce is the top Cincinnati WR with 50 catches and 8 touchdowns. Expect Cincinnati to utilize Ford against the Crimson Tide defense as the Bearcats try to establish the run in support of Ridder. Now for the big question. Which Alabama team will show up? If it’s the same team that played Texas A&M, Florida, LSU, Arkansas or Auburn, Crimson could lose outright. The Bearcats have two NFL cornerbacks. And Bama is down a huge wide receiver. Bama QB Bryce Young leads an offense that averaged 42.5 points per game. Young passed for 4,322 yards with 43 TDs and just four interceptions. He had two 1,000 yard receivers this year but will be without one of them, John Metchie III, for this game. Metchie's season ending knee injury puts additional pressure on fellow 1,000 yard receiver Jameson Williams. Alabama's primary RB Brian Robinson Jr. will look for room against a Cincinnati defense that allowed just 3.3 yards per carry. The Crimson Tide are not as run heavy as they have been in years past but may look to utilize Robinson in order to give Young more time in the pocket. Two more keys for the Bearcats. Cincinnati has been effective running the football at over 5 yards per carry and Cincinnati has done an outstanding job this year at forcing turnovers, with 33 forced on the season. Cincinnati has had an outstanding season and deserves a shot in the CFP with a 13-0 record. As for today well take the +13.5 points.