Alabama does something for first time since 2008 on opening drive vs. Cincinnati
By Ethan Lee
The Alabama Crimson Tide made sure to run over, around, and through the Cincinnati Bearcats to get the Cotton Bowl started.
Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide mean business as they face the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Cotton Bowl. The Crimson Tide is doing what it can to prove that it is a tough physical matchup for Cincinnati.
To do that, Alabama’s offense got started by targeting Cincinnati’s run defense. The Bearcats have been solid defensively all season, but the opening drive for the Crimson Tide started with plenty of run plays and ended in a touchdown.
As it turns out, Alabama hasn’t started a game quite like this since early on in Saban’s time with the Crimson Tide. It’s been over a decade since the last time Alabama ran the ball 10 times in a drive to start a game.
Alabama vs. Cincinnati: Crimson Tide open Cotton Bowl with dominant rushing attack
One more to put that drive into perspective for you: Alabama's 10 rushes on that opening drive were their most rush attempts on their first possession of a game since 2008 vs Arkansas State (also 10). per @ESPNStatsInfo ... repeat, 2008!!
— Heather Dinich (@CFBHeather) December 31, 2021
Saban’s Alabama teams have seen all sorts of offensive evolution in recent seasons, but a philosophical return to what worked early on in Saban’s tenure in Tuscaloosa has paid off well so far.
It may have looked a little different than what Alabama did in 2008, but that group of run plays was a good reminder of how Saban built the Crimson Tide into a contender.
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