Alabama No. 1 in Playoff Rankings; Tide To Face Cincinnati

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Coach Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide are one step closer to a 19th national championship for the program after being announced as one of four teams who will compete in the 2021 College Football Playoff.

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ESPN held its selection show Sunday, which saw the Tide ranked No. 1 following a 41-24 win over unbeaten and top-ranked Georgia on Saturday in the SEC title game in Atlanta.

No. 1 Alabama (12-1) will now face off against No. 4 Cincinnati (13-0) on Dec. 31 in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas, while No. 3 Georgia (12-1) is set to take on No. 2 Michigan (12-1) in the Capital One Orange Bowl in Miami.

The selection for the College Football Playoff represents a third straight year in the postseason for the Crimson Tide and the seventh all-time for the program since the playoff format was introduced. Conversely, it will be the first-ever playoff appearance for the undefeated Bearcats.

The Crimson Tide's all-time playoff record is 8-3.

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