I have a hard time seeing Oklahoma’s path to winning this game.
As good as the Sooners are defensively, keeping Jalen Milroe and Ryan Williams in check will be as tough of a challenge as they’ve had all season.
They haven’t played a quarterback with Milroe’s dual-threat ability or a WR with Williams’ unique blend of traits.
This Alabama team may not have the Nick Saban-era defenses we’re used to seeing, but against Oklahoma they don’t need to be an elite unit. OU will typically find a way to hurt themselves when they have the ball; all Bama has to do is fall on it when the Sooners give it away.
It’s going to take a vintage OU quarterback performance to keep up with the Tide offense, and the Sooners don’t have anyone on the roster capable of delivering that.
I think Bama rolls in front of a primetime national TV audience, setting the Sooners up with a win-or-go-home game next week in Baton Rouge.
Alabama 38, Oklahoma 6
Contact/Follow Aaron Gelvin
It all comes down to protecting the football for the Oklahoma Sooners. If they turn the ball over to the Alabama Crimson Tide, it’s going to be tough sledding for the Sooners. Alabama is one of the best teams in the nation, and they have an efficient offense with quarterback Jalen Milroe.
The Sooners offense can’t afford to give Alabama short fields because it’ll be difficult enough to get off the field on a regular basis.
Oklahoma may not want to be a run-heavy team, but that’s the most efficient and productive part of their offense right now. They need to lean heavily into the rushing attack to take some of the pressure off of Jackson Arnold.
Unfortunately, the Sooners haven’t been good enough on offense to feel confident they can beat a team like Alabama.
Alabama 27, Oklahoma 17
Contact/Follow John Williams