No. 8 Oklahoma and No. 9 Alabama are set to clash again, rekindling a rivalry from earlier this season. Their last meeting was thrilling, with Oklahoma pulling off a close 23-21 victory over Alabama. This time, the stakes are even higher as both teams aim for playoff glory.
Oklahoma’s Path to Success
Oklahoma started the season strong, winning five games in a row. However, they stumbled with a loss to Texas, marking a tough return for quarterback John Mateer after surgery on his throwing hand. The Sooners faced another setback against Ole Miss but rebounded impressively. They secured three significant wins against ranked teams: Tennessee, Alabama, and Missouri. They also took care of business against LSU in Week 14.
A big part of Oklahoma’s success lies in their defense. Ranked seventh nationally, they concede only 13.92 points per game. Brent Venables’ team leads the nation with 41 sacks and has a tough running defense, limiting opponents to just 81 rushing yards on average. This combination puts pressure on opposing offenses, especially pivotal for Alabama, who struggled with their ground game last time.
While Oklahoma’s offense isn’t explosive, they excel in the red zone. The Sooners are a perfect 32 for 32 when it comes to scoring inside the 20-yard line, a feat no other team has matched this season. It will be interesting to see if Alabama can stop this impressive streak.
Alabama’s Journey
Alabama’s season started off rocky with a 31-17 loss to Florida State, raising concerns among fans after missing last year’s playoff. However, the Tide made a strong comeback by defeating Georgia, ending their impressive home win streak. Despite a setback against Oklahoma later in the season, Alabama finished strong with a solid 10-2 record, even after losing to Georgia in the SEC championship.
Alabama’s offense, led by quarterback Ty Simpson, boasts a powerful passing game, averaging over 270 yards per game—ranked fourth among playoff teams. Key players like Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard pose significant threats to any defense, making it essential for Oklahoma to be on high alert.
On the defensive side, Alabama shines in the secondary, allowing just 157.7 passing yards per game, one of the best in the nation. However, Oklahoma’s passing attack needs to step up, as Mateer only threw for 138 yards in their previous matchup.
As both teams prepare to battle it out, fans can expect a matchup filled with intensity and strategy. With playoff implications on the line, this showdown promises excitement and drama throughout the game.
For more detailed statistics about the teams, you can check out the [NCAA FBS football stats](https://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs).
