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The top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide rolled to victory Friday evening after beating the No. 4 Cincinnati Bearcats 27-6 in the Cotton Bowl. Watch the Tide's postgame comments in the video above.

With the win at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Alabama grabbed its 13th victory of the season while handing Cincinnati its first loss of the year.

Bama's Heisman-winning quarterback in Bryce Young boasted 181 yards and three touchdowns while running back Brian Robinson Jr. rushed for 204 yards, earning MVP of the game.

"As a young kid, just always wanted to be a part of this program. Just always wanted to play for a national championship," said Robinson, a redshirt senior from Tuscaloosa who played at Hillcrest High School. "Just being able to go out there and just lead this team in this big game on this big stage ... it's like a dream come true."

"Whatever his role was on the team, he was willing to do it," Nick Saban said about his running back. "He made some tough runs tonight, he got lots of yards after first contact ... he embodies what we try to get our players to do, create value for himself in whatever they do."

Nick Saban on Alabama running back Brian Robinson Jr.'s 204-yard performance in the Cotton Bowl win over Cincinnati.#RollTide #CFBPlayoff #NationalChampionship #BamaFactor pic.twitter.com/wPLSK4QbKv

Freshman receiver Ja'Corey Brooks led the Tide in receiving yards with 66. He hauled in a 44-yard touchdown pass from Young in the second quarter. Jameson Williams had a team-high seven receptions for 62 yards.

Cincinnati was stymied by the Alabama defense. The Bearcats finished with a season-low 218 yards of total offense and were held without a touchdown for the first time since 2019.

"We knew the battle in the trenches was going to be a big deal, and that's kind of where the game was won," Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell said. "In no phase of it did we give ourselves an opportunity."

Friday's game was only the sixth time the Tide and the Bearcats met, with Alabama now holding a 6-0 lead in the series. The last time the two teams played was on Nov. 11, 1990, in Birmingham under Coach Gene Stallings.

Alabama (13-1) will meet a familiar foe in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on Jan. 10 in Indianapolis. No. 3 Georgia (13-1) beat No. 2 Michigan in the Orange Bowl to set up a rematch of the SEC Championship game. The Tide upset the Bulldogs to win the league title.

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