To hear some people, the College Football Playoff semifinal matchup of Cincinnati and Alabama should include a slingshot.

“I know some people want to try to call it a David-and-Goliath-type game,” ESPN’s Todd Blackledge said. “I guess, in some respects, you could say that because Alabama has been there and done that so often on this stage.

“But Cincinnati is a high-level, high-quality football team,” he said, “and in certain ways matches up really well against Alabama.”

Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban makes a point during a practice for the Crimson Tide’s Cotton Bowl matchup with the Cincinnati Bearcats. (Kent Gidley / University of Alabama Athletics)

The temptation is to pencil the No. 1 Crimson Tide into the National Championship Game, dismissing the No. 4 Bearcats, the first team in the playoff that’s not from a Power 5 conference. But Nick Saban knows better than to look beyond the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic meeting at 2:30 p.m. Friday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on ESPN.

“When you’re in the playoffs, it’s all about what’s happening now, what’s in front of you right now,” Saban said. “This is one of those ‘you either win it or go home’ type situations. I think players need to understand that.”

The Tide coach said his team has worked hard and he appreciates the effort it has made to overcome adversity.

“But you didn’t come this far to get this far,” he said. “Now’s the time that you have to realize that we have to be the best we can be as coaches and every player needs to do the best they can to create the habits that will help them be the best player when the game comes.”

Despite the apparent mismatch – Alabama (12-1) is nearly a two-touchdown favorite – Saban said the Tide is playing against a very good team, one that is well-coached and undefeated at 13-0.

“It’s not going to be easy,” he said. “It’s going to be a real battle and our players have to prepare themselves the right way for that.”

Alabama’s marquee players are household names across the country, beginning with quarterback Bryce Young, whose poise under pressure helped him earn the Heisman Trophy. Receiver John Metchie III was lost to injury, but Young still has targets for his passes, including Slade Bolden and deep threat Jameson Williams.

On the other side of the ball, the Tide defense is anchored by linebackers Will Anderson Jr. and Henry To’oto’o.

Alabama prepares for its Cotton Bowl showdown with Cincinnati. (Kent Gidley / University of Alabama Athletics)

Cincinnati will try to neutralize Alabama wide receiver and major playmaker Jameson Williams. (Kent Gidley / University of Alabama Athletics)

Alabama linebacker Will Anderson is a defensive standout for the Tide. (Kent Gidley / University of Alabama Athletics)

Alabama wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks practices with his team. (Kent Gidley / University of Alabama Athletics)

Alabama defensive back DeMarcco Hellams (2) pursues Alabama running back Trey Sanders (6) during a Cotton Bowl practice. (Kent Gidley / University of Alabama Athletics)

Alabama tight end Cameron Latu makes a catch during practice. (Kent Gidley / University of Alabama Athletics)

Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner practices with the team. (Kent Gidley / University of Alabama Athletics)

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young hands off to running back Brian Robinson Jr. (Kent Gidley / University of Alabama Athletics)

Alabama wide receiver Slade Bolden (18) will be among quarterback Bryce Young’s potentially productive targets in the Cotton Bowl. (Kent Gidley / University of Alabama Athletics)

The Alabama offense practices for the Cotton Bowl. (Kent Gidley / University of Alabama Athletics)

Linebacker Henry To’oto’o is one of Alabama’s defensive standouts. (Kent Gidley / University of Alabama Athletics)

Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams has been a potent downfield advantage for Alabama this season. (Kent Gidley / University of Alabama Athletics) Photo by Kent Gidley

Alabama defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (1) practices with his team in advance of Friday’s Cotton Bowl. (Kent Gidley / University of Alabama Athletics)

Alabama defensive back DeMarcco Hellams practices for the Cotton Bowl. (Kent Gidley / University of Alabama Athletics)

Alabama defensive lineman Phil Mathis practices with the team this week. (Kent Gidley / University of Alabama Athletics)

Alabama practices in advance of its Cotton Bowl showdown with Cincinnati. (Kent Gidley / University of Alabama Athletics)

Sean McDonough (play-by-play) and Molly McGrath (sideline) are on the call for the Cotton Bowl. Blackledge, the analyst on the broadcast, said the Bearcats have talent but wondered whether they have enough to compete with Alabama.

“The question I have is, do they have the depth, do they have the strength up front on both sides of the line to go toe-to-toe with a team like Alabama that we’ve seen in this arena for 60 minutes,” he said. “That’s the big question.”

Blackledge counts the Bearcat receiving corps – especially the tight ends and receiver Alec Pierce – as pluses for the underdogs.

“If you want to beat Alabama, you have to make contested catches because of how tough the coverage is, and the man-to-man coverage that Alabama likes to play,” the analyst said. “You’ve got to win some one-on-ones and they’ve got guys that can do that.”

Cincinnati also has a strong secondary, led by cornerbacks Coby Bryant, the Thorpe Award winner, and Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner.

“I think their secondary against the passing game of Alabama matches up very well,” Blackledge said. “I think it’ll probably be the best secondary that Alabama and Bryce Young have seen all year. It’ll be interesting to me to watch.”

The analyst is eager to see the strategy Cincinnati employs against Williams.

“I’ve got to believe that they will try to do something to try to make someone else step up to make plays and to win for Alabama,” Blackledge said. “I’d be interested to see what Cincinnati does to try to maybe limit Jameson Williams.”