CFB Friday 12/19

Kyle Kirms
2 days ago
3 min read

ALABAMA @ OKLAHOMA - 8 PM

Winner goes to the Rose Bowl to play Indiana.

Obviously, we're looking at a rematch. Oklahoma went on the road to Tuscaloosa in Week 12 and beat these guys outright. Remember, Oklahoma beat Alabama in 2024 as well. So the Tide really has struggled against Oklahoma.

This is a little thin... you don't play the same team twice in a season very often in college football. It's a little more common now.

Now let's be honest... the story of that game was not Oklahoma dominating Alabama. The story was 3 turnovers to 0. In fact, Alabama was moving the chains in that game. Alabama outgained Oklahoma 406-212 in this game.

Ty Simpson actually had a really nice looking stat line in that game outside of the INT. TE Josh Cuevas had 6 catches 80 yards and a TD in this game as well. The reason I'm bringing that up is he hasn't played since. He's been out since Week 12 and is expected to return for this one.

Since losing CB Gentry Williams, we've seen Oklahoma's secondary get thrown on a little. Not much... but it is possible to make throws on this defense.

The thing is... we've kinda seen Alabama's offense fall off a cliff in the 2 SEC games since the Oklahoma loss though.

So can we count on Alabama to go on the road to Norman and move the ball on this defense?

Oklahoma's been dominant in this building... we do have to point out that Ole Miss was the only respectable SEC offense to come here and they actually lost that game.

It really comes down to Ty Simpson protecting the football. He can make throws against the blitz... he can make throws under pressure. But the TWP% goes up. In the first matchup, we saw a costly pick six. R Mason Thomas is set to return.

You'd have to say the weather favors Oklahoma here. Supposed to be a very windy night and Alabama is an offense that needs to throw the ball.

He's probably not gonna have run support. They had -3 rushing yards as a team against Georgia. Jam Miller is expected to play though which is big. He missed the SEC Championship game.

It really comes down to how much you believe in DeBoer and Ty Simpson. I personally think they can make some throws... but on paper, the evidence isn't really there.

On the other side of the ball though... this is where Alabama has the huge advantage.

Oklahoma may have won the game in Week 12... but the offense did legitimately nothing. Their touchdowns came on a pick six and a muffed Alabama punt that gave them great field position... outside of those two, they scored 9 points in the game and didn't have a single drive that went more than 41 yards or 8 plays. That was with C Jake Maikkula on the field. He missed the LSU game with an infection and may not play in this game.

And it's not just the Alabama game... Oklahoma's offense has looked bad in both games since. Oklahoma's offense only scored 7 touchdowns in the entire month of November.

And Alabama's defense has caught fire... they looked like one of the best defenses in the country in the 2nd half of the season.

And if you're thinking "oh well Kyle we just saw Georgia moving the ball easily on Alabama in the SEC Championship game"... no we didn't not at all. And Georgia's offense is MILES better than Oklahoma's. This was without DT LT Overton also who's out for the season.