Brian Robinson on matchup against former teammate Jerome Ford in CFP

The stakes in the College Football Playoff semifinal game between Alabama and Cincinnati are undoubtedly high. But for Alabama running back Brian Robinson and Cincinnati running back Jerome Ford, it is a reunion. Ford actually began his collegiate career at Alabama, playing his first two seasons with the Crimson Tide. He was teammates with Robinson during the 2018 and 2019 seasons in Tuscaloosa.

Robinson was asked about what it would be like facing off against Ford in the CFP, and he said that it is very exciting for him.

“Jerome, he’s one of those guys who works his butt off,” Robinson said of Ford. “Fast guys, physical guy, knows how to finish his plays as well. So it’s exciting to be able to play against (Ford) on the other side of the ball on one of the biggest stages. I’m excited to see how he handles that with being in another program and me being in the same program that he started in. That’s an exciting matchup. I can’t wait to see how it turns out.”

Robinson is proud of Ford for the progress he has made

In the 2018 and 2019 seasons at Alabama, Ford had 31 carries for 151 yards and three touchdowns, as well as two receptions for 11 yards. In those same years, Robinson had 159 carries for 713 yards and seven touchdowns, as well as 11 receptions for 124 yards.

After the 2019 season, Ford opted to leave Alabama and transferred to Cincinnati. Ford had 73 carries for 483 yards and eight touchdowns last year, but this season he became a focal point of Cincinnati’s offensive attack. One the season, Ford has rushed 200 times for 1,242 yards and 19 touchdowns. He also has 18 receptions for 209 yards and a score.

Like Ford, Robinson is also having the most productive season of his collegiate career. Robinson has 223 carries for 1,071 yards and 14 touchdowns this year. He also has 31 receptions for 268 yards and two touchdowns.

The two running backs will be on opposite sidelines in the Cotton Bowl, but Robinson and Ford share a special connection. Robinson is proud of what Ford has been able to do since becoming a Bearcat, although he is probably hoping that Ford has a quiet day in the CFP semifinal matchup.

“Yeah, I’m super excited for him,” Robinson said of Ford’s success at Cincinnati. “He came here, it might not have turned out how he wanted it to turn out for him. And he had to make a decision for himself and his family. He left, and he joined a program that was upcoming and just helped build onto that program and helped lead them to where they are now. I’m just so proud of just the progress he made with joining another program and making it to this point.”