No. 8 Seed Oklahoma And 9th-seeded Alabama Meet Once 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 facing pressure from their rabid fanbases. Oklahoma has actually rebounded from a 6-7 season, and a win would strengthen Venables' status while providing him a 3rd win over Alabama in 13 months. DeBoer already is in the shadow of Nick Saban, the six-time nationwide champion coach he changed. The Crimson Tide missed out on the playoff last season. Failing to win a championship game his first two seasons and losing to Oklahoma for the second time this season would rile up a fanbase that has lofty expectations.


Alabama QB Ty Simpson vs. rush. Oklahoma sacked Simpson four times in the very first meeting, and that lacked R Mason Thomas, the team's top pass rush. Thomas is back from injury. Simpson, usually an effective passer, has actually had a hard time in recent weeks against pressure. That's bad against an Oklahoma team that leads the country in sacks and takes on for loss.


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


Oklahoma: QB John Mateer. He is a double risk who has actually made numerous clutch plays this season. He tends to come up with a couple of timely plays per game, but he in some cases requires the ball, causing interceptions.


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


Get poll signals and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Register here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football.