Oklahoma defense top of Alabama's concern list

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Oklahoma coach Brent Venables certainly hasn't lost his intimidation factor when it comes to opposing offenses.

Venables' 10th-ranked Sooners head to No. 4 Alabama on Saturday in a game Oklahoma must win to keep its College Football Playoff dreams afloat. OU will enter the game with the seventh-ranked defense in FBS and the top-ranked defense in the Southeastern Conference, giving up just 264 yards per game.

The Oklahoma head man made a name for himself as defensive coordinator at Clemson where his teams finished in the top 10 in total defense in five of his last six seasons. Two of those five seasons resulted in national championship wins and another two saw the Tigers play in the national-title game.

Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubbs remembers. He isn't going to let his Crimson Tide team face off against Venables and Co. with the same old, same old.

"We'll be changing everything, so if Coach Venables is listening, just know that they're (the signals) all changing," Grubbs said.

Oklahoma's defense had been ranked No. 1 in the country before its last two games against Ole Miss and Tennessee. The Sooners lost the first one, but bounced back against the Volunteers, even as they allowed 456 yards. But that total came against the top-ranked team in the country when it comes to total offense. Alabama ranks 57th such and the Crimson Tide are coming off a game against LSU where they put up just 120 yards in the second half.

Kickoff from Tuscaloosa is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC.

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Alabama offense ready for test against Oklahoma defense

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