Alabama is trying to keep its College Football Playoff chances afloat while Oklahoma is working to extend its bowl streak.
The No. 7 Crimson Tide and the Sooners will square off for the first time as Southeastern Conference rivals on Saturday in Norman, Okla.
Alabama (8-2, 4-2 SEC) is riding a three-game winning streak that has put Kalen DeBoer’s team back into playoff contention. The Sooners (5-5, 1-5) have dropped four consecutive conference games to put their 25-season bowl streak into danger.
Turnovers figure to play a significant role on Saturday. The Crimson Tide are tied for fourth nationally in turnover margin at plus-13, while the Sooners are tied for 72nd at minus-one.
Alabama has forced three or more turnovers in each of its last five games, including nine interceptions. Oklahoma has turned the ball over a total of 13 times over its last five games.
On Tuesday, Sooners coach Brent Venables pointed out the scoring margin off turnovers in his team’s wins versus its losses. Oklahoma is outscoring opponents 63-6 off turnovers in its wins and being outscored 58-7 off turnovers in its losses.
“When you take care of the ball, again, good things will usually happen,” Venables said.
Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe presents a unique challenge for the Sooners. He is averaging 223.2 passing yards and 60.8 rushing yards per game. He’s thrown for 15 touchdowns with just six interceptions and has rushed for 17 scores.
“He’s, I think, back in a really good spot with trust in the guys around him,” DeBoer said. “There’s been a little more continuity with the practice, skill players, offensive line. … He’s become more comfortable in understanding what our team needs from him to be able to win SEC football games.”
The Sooners aren’t nearly as settled at quarterback, although sophomore Jackson Arnold will make his fourth consecutive start since regaining the role in mid-October.
Arnold fumbled three times — losing two — in the Sooners’ 30-23 loss to Missouri on Nov. 9 heading into a bye week. One of those fumbles came near the end of the game and was returned for what ultimately was the game-winning touchdown.
“I can’t fumble like that,” Arnold said. “Can’t turn the ball over but at the same time, we’ve got two more games. We’ve got two more great teams we’ve got to play so we’ve got to put it behind us and move forward.”
Arnold is hoping to have a couple targets back as a bigger part of the offense Saturday.
Wide receivers Jalil Farooq and Deion Burks returned after long absences against Missouri. Burks finished with five catches for 44 yards while Farooq had two receptions for 11 yards.
Venables said both could see more action against Alabama.
“They had to knock off a little bit of rust,” Venables said. “Certainly the volume, their play capacity wasn’t what it would normally be. … We’re hoping that will continue to improve as we move forward.”
DeBoer said this week that Crimson Tide starting safety Keon Sabb was out for the season after undergoing surgery.
The Tide and the Sooners have met six times previously, with the last coming in December 2018 in a College Football Playoff semifinal. Alabama recorded a 45-34 win.
–Field Level Media