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 rabid 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 national champ coach he changed. The Crimson Tide missed the playoff last season. Failing to win a championship game his first 2 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, which lacked R Mason Thomas, the team's leading pass rusher. Thomas is back from injury. Simpson, generally an effective passer, has actually had a hard time in recent weeks against . 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 peaceful lately, however he's capable of breaking out. The big-play risk has 42 catches for 631 yards and four goals this season. But he hasn't had more than three catches or 45 yards the previous four video games.


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


If Oklahoma wins it would end up being the very 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 backyards and 7 touchdowns in the routine season. He's also a harmful 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 rushing yards allowed per game, ninth in overall 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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