No. 8 Seed Oklahoma And 9th-seeded Alabama Meet Again In First Round.

Ninth-seeded Alabama (10-3) at No. 8 seed Oklahoma (10-2), Friday, 8 p.m. EST (ABC/ESPN)


BetMGM College Football Odds: Alabama by 1 1/2.


Series record: Oklahoma leads 5-2-1.


Oklahoma coach Brent Venables and Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer began the season dealing with pressure from their rabid fanbases. Oklahoma has rebounded from a 6-7 season, and a win would strengthen Venables' status while offering him a third win over Alabama in 13 months. DeBoer currently remains in the shadow of Nick Saban, the six-time nationwide champ coach he changed. The Crimson Tide missed out on the playoff last season. Failing to win a championship game his very first 2 seasons and losing to Oklahoma for the 2nd time this season would rile up a fanbase that has lofty expectations.


Alabama QB Ty Simpson vs. Oklahoma pass rush. Oklahoma sacked Simpson four times in the first meeting, which was without R Mason Thomas, the group's top pass rusher. Thomas is back from injury. Simpson, usually an effective passer, has actually had a hard time in current weeks against pressure. That's not great against an Oklahoma group that leads the nation in sacks and deals with for loss.


Alabama: WR Ryan Williams. He's been quiet recently, but he's capable of breaking out. The big-play danger has 42 for 631 backyards and 4 goals this season. But he hasn't had more than three catches or 45 backyards the previous four games.


Oklahoma: QB John Mateer. He is a double threat who has actually made many clutch plays this season. He tends to come up with a few timely plays per video game, but he sometimes requires the ball, causing interceptions.


If Oklahoma wins it would become the first program to beat Alabama twice in a season since 1893. ... Oklahoma has actually won 4 of the previous 5 meetings. ... Oklahoma WR Isaiah Sategna III was a first-team All-SEC choice after capturing 65 passes for 948 yards and seven touchdowns in the regular season. He's likewise an unsafe punt returner. ... Oklahoma won the very first meeting 23-21 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. ... Alabama lost the SEC title game 28-7 to Georgia. ... Oklahoma ranks fifth nationally in rushing yards permitted per game, ninth in total defense and seventh in points allowed. ... Alabama beat Oklahoma 45-34 in the playoff in 2018. ... Germie Bernard leads Alabama in receptions (57) and lawns receiving (762 ).


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