3 important answers to 3 important questions the Oklahoma Sooners may have regarding their matchup against Alabama
The Alabama Crimson Tide host the Oklahoma Sooners this week.
The Oklahoma Sooners really need a win on the road in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to have a shot at getting into the College Football Playoffs. However, the only thing is, this Alabama Crimson Tide team is pretty good. This is not the same team that the Sooners beat last season in one of the weirdest games ever. They won that game to extend their bowl game streak and to essentially give Bama a loss that kept them out of the postseason.
Of course, Alabama wants its payback. Of course, Alabama wants to win this game at home. However, they can afford to lose a game; the Sooners cannot. So, this game should be extremely interesting. And since these are two very different teams from the ones that played last year, there are some questions that need to be asked.
I met with A to Z Sports Alabama’s very own Rob Gregson to ask a few questions the Sooners might need answers to on Saturday. And, he asked me some questions regarding the matchup as well.
3 important questions Sooners need answered about Alabama
Q: The Sooners haven’t been able to consistently keep the two parts of a good offense going. Starting the year, they threw the ball well, but ran the ball poorly. Now, they run the ball well, but throw it poorly. What is the better part of Alabama’s defense, and could the Sooners have a balanced offensive outing?
A: It just so happens that the current trend of Oklahoma’s offense bodes well for the matchup in this one. If there is one area of Alabama’s defense that can be exploited, you would have to say it’s the rush defense. Now there is a chance that Qua Russaw makes his long-awaited return, which would be a major boost. Alabama is looking to capitalize on a recovering Mateer and keep the Sooners off schedule.
Q: Oklahoma has a very young secondary, specifically the boundary positions. But they have shown promising potential. What can we expect from Alabama’s passing game plan in a game like this, where they would probably be more successful throwing the ball? Will they be more successful in attacking the weak link or spreading the ball throughout?
A: You better believe that if there is a weak link in Oklahoma’s secondary, Ryan Grubb, Kalen DeBoer, and Ty Simpson will aim to exploit it. Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard, and Isaiah Horton might be the best receiving trio in the country. I expect Alabama to attack both the MOF (as they have all season) and the perimeter of OU’s defense.
Q: From an outsider’s perspective, what do you feel Oklahoma will have to do to win this game? Or is it more about what Alabama has to do/how bad they play? Will Alabama likely beat themselves more so than Oklahoma, getting the win, if that is what happens?
A: I think anyone saying this will be a cake walk for Alabama is either biased or missing the details. Alabama simply can’t run the football. They averaged just 2.2 yards per carry against an LSU team that was never really in the game. Now they face the 11th-ranked team in the country, and the best rush defense in the SEC. If Oklahoma is successful in making Alabama one-dimensional, and they run the ball well, it could be a long afternoon for the Crimson Tide.
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