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 rebounded from a 6-7 season, and a win would strengthen Venables' status while offering him a 3rd win over Alabama in 13 months. DeBoer already is in the shadow of Nick Saban, the six-time national champion 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 first meeting, which lacked R Mason Thomas, the team's leading pass rush. Thomas is back from injury. Simpson, generally an effective passer, has had a hard time in recent weeks versus pressure. That's bad versus an Oklahoma group that leads the country in sacks and deals with for loss.


Alabama: WR Ryan Williams. He's been quiet recently, but he can breaking out. The big-play hazard has 42 catches for 631 backyards and 4 goals this season. But he hasn't had more than 3 catches or 45 yards the previous four video games.


Oklahoma: QB John Mateer. He is a dual risk who has made various clutch plays this season. He tends to come up with a few timely plays per game, however he in some cases requires the ball, causing interceptions.


If Oklahoma wins it would become the very first program to beat Alabama two times in a season given that 1893. ... Oklahoma has won four of the past five meetings. ... Oklahoma WR Isaiah Sategna III was a first-team All-SEC selection after catching 65 passes for 948 lawns and seven goals in the regular season. He's also a dangerous 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 fifth nationally in rushing backyards per game, ninth in overall defense and seventh in points permitted. ... Alabama beat Oklahoma 45-34 in the playoff in 2018. ... Germie Bernard leads Alabama in receptions (57) and yards receiving (762 ).


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