When the Alabama Crimson Tide take the field this upcoming Saturday night in Norman, the program will not only be facing a strong Oklahoma Sooners defense, but they will also be doing it in front of one of college football’s top environments in Memorial Stadium.
Alabama’s last true-road regular season game, the Crimson Tide have had a few troubles on the road this year, losing at both Vanderbilt and Tennessee.
This is obviously no secret as well, and will be key for Alabama to play more like they did at LSU a few weeks ago offensively, rather than those games at Vanderbilt and Tennessee.
Alabama offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan commented on both of these things Monday afternoon as well, saying first of what jumped out about the Sooners defense overall:
“I think obviously the schematics are one thing, but with their coaching staff and their history, just the way that they play, and I say that in the highest of compliments,” Sheridan said. “The toughness, the effort, the swarming to the football, the physicality with which they play. I just have a ton of respect for their players and their staff on how they play. Certainly there is the schematic challenges that you deal with each-and-every week, and this week will certainly be a challenge from that standpoint, but more than anything, just the way that they play football. I have a tremendous amount of respect for their staff and players on how they do that.”
Shortly after this, Sheridan was also asked about playing on the road where every game is important, and if Alabama can build off their success at LSU on Saturday night against Oklahoma, saying:
“I think you lean on your experiences in some of those environments,” Sheridan said. “No two situations are the same, but certainly relative to things that you have to deal with on the road, I think each time that you’re able to do that, you learn and grow to hope you handle those situations a little bit better. Certainly this will be an electric environment against a really quality opponent.”
Alabama will travel to Oklahoma this upcoming Saturday night, November 23, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.