No. 4 Alabama locked in, retains unforgettable loss to Oklahoma in ’24 prime of thoughts

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer desires his gamers to recollect what occurred when the Crimson Tide performed Oklahoma final season.

Sooners coach Brent Venables hopes his group carries over the teachings of that sport with out dwelling on the end result.

No. 11 Oklahoma and No. 4 Alabama sq. off Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and the importance within the School Soccer Playoff image is obvious.

For the Crimson Tide (8-1, 6-0 SEC) the sport affords an opportunity to clinch a spot within the SEC Championship Recreation, solidify a spot within the School Soccer Playoff and earn some degree of revenge from final season’s loss at Oklahoma.

“We’ve plenty of new gamers on the group, so there are gamers that did not expertise that,” DeBoer mentioned of the 24-3 loss in Norman final season. “Those that did definitely higher bear in mind. And perceive that, extra importantly, you are going through a extremely good program.”

Alabama has gained eight consecutive video games since a season-opening loss at Florida State.

The Sooners (7-2, 3-2) want to preserve their CFP hopes alive.

“I do not assume that – a 12 months in the past, good or dangerous – I’ve by no means carried over wins and losses,” Venables mentioned. “You study from all of it. I believe it could paralyze you holding onto one thing. Motivated? Yeah. However i believe the motivation for everyone is due to the chance that is sitting. In entrance of us. … The season for each of us is impacted by the end result on the finish of the evening.”

Whereas Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson performed briefly in final season’s loss, he’ll be pivotal Saturday.

Simpson is finishing 66.9% of his passes for two,461 yards and 21 touchdowns with only one interception.

“I believe he does an unbelievable job within the pocket, conserving his eyes downfield and delivering the ball the place it must go,” Oklahoma offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle mentioned, noting that he is watched Simpson repeatedly as he scouts the league’s defenses. “I’ve simply been impressed watching him as a first-year starter and the calmness and the maturity that he exhibits.”

Alabama is tied for fourth nationally with a plus-10 turnover margin. After struggling to pressure turnovers for a lot of the season, the Sooners pressured three within the first half alone of their final sport, a win at Tennessee.

Earlier this season, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin made some waves when he mentioned Venables and his workers had been adept at stealing indicators.

That is been on the thoughts of Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb this week.

“We’re altering every little thing,” Grubb mentioned. “… They do every little thing throughout the parameters of the sport. Nothing unlawful about what they do. They’re good at what they do. Definitely should take that into consideration.”

DeBoer mentioned he anticipated left guard Kam Dewberry can be obtainable Saturday after struggling an damage in final week’s win over LSU.

Venables mentioned throughout final week’s bye week that he anticipated a number of injured gamers to return vs. Alabama.

Oklahoma could possibly be with out star defensive finish R Mason Thomas, who suffered a leg damage returning a fumble for a landing within the Sooners’ win over Tennessee.

Linebacker Kobie McKinzie’s standing can also be unclear. McKinzie was injured early in Oklahoma’s Oct. 25 loss to Ole Miss and went by way of warmups earlier than the Tennessee sport earlier than sitting out.

–Area Stage Media