The highly anticipated college football matchup between No. 7 Alabama and Oklahoma is set to unfold this Saturday, marking the first clash between the two schools as members of the SEC. With Alabama sporting an 8-2 overall record and a crucial 4-2 conference record, the Crimson Tide are keenly aware that every game counts in their pursuit of a College Football Playoff berth. Winning is essential to maintain their chances at an SEC title. Meanwhile, Brent Venables and the Sooners are eager to secure bowl eligibility and earn a notable victory in their inaugural season within the SEC.
Although both teams hold a storied place in college football history with a combined total of over 1,900 wins and 25 national championships, their history of competition is limited. This meeting marks only the seventh encounter between them, with Oklahoma edging the all-time series at 3-2-1. Alabama managed to take the last matchup, triumphing 45-34 in the College Football Playoff Semifinal in 2018, although Oklahoma holds a perfect record against the Tide during the regular season and has never lost at home to them.
The game promises to be electric, with significant championship implications and both teams eager to make their mark. Alabama aims to keep its playoff aspirations alive while Oklahoma looks to maintain pride and prove themselves as worthy SEC contenders.
Fans can catch the action at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 16, at the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. The game will be broadcast live on ABC and available for streaming via fubo.
In terms of key players, Alabama’s quarterback Jalen Milroe is having a standout season, accounting for an impressive 32 total touchdowns (15 passing and 17 rushing), leading the SEC and ranking among the best in the nation. His dual-threat capability has significantly contributed to Alabama’s outstanding performance in the red zone.
On the other side, Oklahoma’s quarterback Jackson Arnold has shown marked improvement since taking the starting role again after being benched earlier in the season. He has brought efficiency to the offense, completing 63% of his passes for 705 yards and five touchdowns in the last four games without throwing an interception.
Oklahoma is also striving to extend a remarkable streak: if they win, it will mark 26 consecutive seasons of bowl eligibility, standing second in the nation only to Georgia.
As the stage is set for this thrilling encounter, fans and analysts alike are eager to see whether Alabama can maintain their playoff hopes or if Oklahoma can pull off a thrilling upset at home.
This matchup embodies the essence of college football: fierce competition, tradition, and the drive for excellence, making it a must-watch for sports enthusiasts.