(Photo: Seatgeek)

Campus Clash

(12) Oklahoma Sooners at (4) Alabama Crimson Tide

Oklahoma (7-2):

In this sport, you must turn the page quickly. What I mean is you can dwell on a tough loss, but you have to learn from it and move on to the next game. That’s exactly what Oklahoma did after losing a tough one to the Ole Miss Rebels on October 25th. Ole Miss entered that game with a chip on its shoulder after a loss to the Georgia Bulldogs and handled business on the road. The Sooners did the same thing in turn, putting together one of their better performances of the season. The defense got back to looking like a Brent Venables unit, and I’ll admit I had some questions about the offense after John Mateer’s return. I even wondered if they brought him back too soon after his hand injury, especially since he struggled against Texas and was just okay versus Ole Miss. But against Tennessee, it seemed like everything Oklahoma wanted to do, they did — and they succeeded. After that win in Knoxville, I said on Monday Evening Quarterback that Oklahoma kept its season alive. Prior to that game, I called it an “elimination game” of sorts, since both Oklahoma and Tennessee came in with two losses. Now that the College Football Playoff has expanded to 12 teams, two losses can be survivable — but a third one likely knocks you out of contention. This Saturday, the Sooners will travel to Tuscaloosa to take on a red-hot Crimson Tide team.

Alabama (8-1):

Before their bye week, Alabama faced a real challenge at South Carolina. Columbia can be a tough place to play, and I honestly thought we might see an upset. But Alabama showed the same mental toughness they’ve displayed all season and kept their winning streak alive. Against LSU this past weekend, they took care of business again. I know teams can come out rusty after a bye, but Alabama looked focused. Watching them, I couldn’t help but think — college football just feels better when the Crimson Tide are relevant. My one concern is their running game, which continues to struggle. That was clear in the win against LSU in Week 11. When asked about the ground attack, Ty Simpson said the team needs more confidence running the ball, and I agree. He also mentioned that their issues are mostly mental. The other problem is the offensive line — the constant rotation up front is hurting consistency. This Saturday afternoon, they’ll host the Oklahoma Sooners in a big SEC showdown.

Oklahoma X-Factor: Tory Blaylock

The freshman running back has earned meaningful carries for this Oklahoma offense. Tory’s shown the ability to break open chunk plays that can change the dynamic of a game and provide a much-needed spark. I picked him as my X-factor because Alabama’s defense will likely key in on Isaiah Sategna and John Mateer, which could open lanes for Blaylock. If he can help extend drives, that will keep Alabama’s defense on the field — and momentum could shift Oklahoma’s way.

Alabama X-Factor: Deontae Lawson

Lawson is the leader of Alabama’s defense and the heartbeat of their front seven. Against one of the more balanced offenses in the country, his impact will be crucial. He diagnoses plays quickly, fills gaps efficiently, and will be vital in keeping small runs from turning into 10-yard gains. Expect him to be a key spy on John Mateer when the quarterback takes off to run.

Final Thoughts:

The regular season is winding down, and we have another  SEC tilt ahead. When these two teams met last season in Norman, Oklahoma embarrassed Alabama and held them to just a field goal. Nearly a year later, the rematch moves to Tuscaloosa. I remember that game vividly — it was one of the worst Alabama performances I’ve ever seen. One thing I’ve learned about Alabama defenses is that they can struggle against mobile quarterbacks, and they’ll face another one in Mateer. On the other hand, Oklahoma has shown vulnerabilities of its own, as we saw against Ole Miss. Keys for Oklahoma: Pressure Ty Simpson and make Alabama’s offense one-dimensional. If they can force the Tide into more passing situations, that plays to the Sooners’ strengths. Sustain long drives to keep Alabama’s offense on the sidelines, dictate the tempo, and — above all — protect the football. This Alabama defense is opportunistic and can’t be allowed to settle in. Keys for Alabama: Stop Oklahoma’s run game early. The Sooners’ offense runs through their ground attack, which opens everything else up. Force them into long-yardage and predictable passing situations. Dominate the trenches — if Alabama controls the line of scrimmage, Oklahoma will have trouble keeping up. Finally, keep Ty Simpson comfortable and efficient. He doesn’t need to play hero ball — just take care of the football, hit his receivers in stride, and avoid turnovers.

Prediction:

Alabama 26, Oklahoma 20