No. 8 Seed Oklahoma And 9th-seeded Alabama Meet Once Again In 1st 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 started the season dealing with pressure from their wild fanbases. Oklahoma has actually rebounded from a 6-7 season, and a win would solidify Venables' status while giving him a 3rd win over 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 playoff video game his 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 4 times in the very first conference, which was without R Mason Thomas, the team's top pass rusher. Thomas is back from injury. Simpson, normally an efficient passer, has struggled in recent weeks against pressure. That's not great versus an Oklahoma team that leads the country in sacks and tackles for loss.


Alabama: WR Ryan Williams. He's been peaceful lately, however he can breaking out. The big-play danger has 42 catches for 631 lawns and 4 goals this season. But he hasn't had more than three catches or 45 backyards the previous four video games.


Oklahoma: QB John Mateer. He is a dual danger who has actually made various clutch plays this season. He tends to come up with a couple of timely plays per game, however he often forces the ball, leading to interceptions.


If Oklahoma wins it would become the first program to beat Alabama twice in a season given that 1893. ... Oklahoma has won four of the previous 5 meetings. ... Oklahoma WR Isaiah Sategna III was a first-team All-SEC selection after catching 65 passes for 948 backyards and 7 touchdowns in the routine season. He's also a dangerous punt returner. ... Oklahoma won the first conference 23-21 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. ... Alabama lost the SEC title game 28-7 to Georgia. ... Oklahoma ranks fifth nationally in rushing yards enabled per video 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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