No. 8 Seed Oklahoma And 9th-seeded Alabama Meet 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 began the season dealing with pressure from their rabid fanbases. Oklahoma has actually rebounded from a 6-7 season, and a win would solidify Venables' status while providing him a 3rd win over Alabama in 13 months. DeBoer currently is in the shadow of Nick Saban, the six-time nationwide champ coach he changed. The Crimson Tide missed out on the last season. Failing to win a playoff 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. Oklahoma pass rush. Oklahoma sacked Simpson 4 times in the very first conference, and that was without R Mason Thomas, the group's leading pass rush. Thomas is back from injury. Simpson, typically an efficient passer, has had a hard time in current weeks versus pressure. That's bad versus an Oklahoma group that leads the nation in sacks and takes on for loss.


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


Oklahoma: QB John Mateer. He is a dual hazard who has made various clutch plays this season. He tends to come up with a couple of timely plays per video game, however he in some cases forces 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 since 1893. ... Oklahoma has actually won 4 of the previous five meetings. ... Oklahoma WR Isaiah Sategna III was a first-team All-SEC choice after catching 65 passes for 948 yards and seven goals in the routine season. He's likewise a hazardous 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 5th nationally in hurrying lawns 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 lawns getting (762 ).


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