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 began the season dealing with pressure from their wild 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 nationwide champ coach he changed. The Crimson Tide missed out on the playoff last season. Failing to win a championship game his first two seasons and losing to Oklahoma for the second time this season would rile up a fanbase that has .


Alabama QB Ty Simpson vs. Oklahoma pass rush. Oklahoma sacked Simpson 4 times in the very first meeting, and that was without R Mason Thomas, the group's leading pass rusher. Thomas is back from injury. Simpson, normally an effective passer, has had a hard time in recent weeks against pressure. That's bad versus an Oklahoma group that leads the country in sacks and tackles for loss.


Alabama: WR Ryan Williams. He's been peaceful lately, but he's capable of breaking out. The big-play risk has 42 catches for 631 yards and 4 goals this season. But he hasn't had more than three catches or 45 yards the past 4 games.


Oklahoma: QB John Mateer. He is a double hazard who has made numerous clutch plays this season. He tends to come up with a few timely plays per game, however he in some cases 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 4 of the previous five meetings. ... Oklahoma WR Isaiah Sategna III was a first-team All-SEC selection after capturing 65 passes for 948 lawns and seven touchdowns in the regular season. He's also a harmful punt returner. ... Oklahoma won the very first conference 23-21 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. ... Alabama lost the SEC title video game 28-7 to Georgia. ... Oklahoma ranks fifth nationally in rushing lawns enabled per video game, ninth in total 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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