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 facing pressure from their wild fanbases. Oklahoma has actually rebounded from a 6-7 season, and a win would strengthen Venables' status while providing him a third win over Alabama in 13 months. DeBoer currently is in the shadow of Nick Saban, the six-time nationwide champ coach he replaced. The Crimson Tide missed out on the playoff last season. Failing to win a playoff video game his very 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. Oklahoma pass rush. Oklahoma sacked Simpson 4 times in the very first meeting, which was without R Mason Thomas, the team's leading pass rush. Thomas is back from injury. Simpson, typically an efficient passer, has actually had a hard time in recent weeks against pressure. That's not excellent versus an Oklahoma team that leads the 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 risk has 42 catches for 631 yards and four touchdowns this season. But he hasn't had more than 3 catches or 45 yards the past 4 video games.


Oklahoma: QB John Mateer. He is a dual hazard who has actually made numerous clutch plays this season. He tends to come up with a couple of prompt plays per video game, however he often requires the ball, resulting in interceptions.


If Oklahoma wins it would end up being the very first program to beat Alabama two times in a season given that 1893. ... Oklahoma has actually won 4 of the past 5 conferences. ... Oklahoma WR Isaiah Sategna III was a first-team All-SEC selection after catching 65 passes for 948 yards and 7 touchdowns in the regular season. He's likewise a hazardous punt returner. ... Oklahoma won the first conference 23-21 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. ... Alabama lost the SEC title video game 28-7 to Georgia. ... Oklahoma ranks 5th nationally in rushing backyards permitted per game, ninth in overall defense and seventh in points enabled. ... Alabama beat Oklahoma 45-34 in the playoff in 2018. ... Germie Bernard leads Alabama in receptions (57) and backyards getting (762 ).


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