From OU football's defense to Alabama QB Ty Simpson, answering top CFP questions
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NORMAN — Oklahoma hosts Alabama in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Friday at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
The Sooners previously defeated the Crimson Tide 23-21 on the road on Nov. 15.
OU enters the 12-team playoff with the worst odds of any Power Four team in the field to win the national title. Head coach Brent Venables' squad has adopted an underdog mentality after having slim odds to win four consecutive games and punch their ticket into the CFP.
Meanwhile, Alabama's offense struggled mightily when it fell to Georgia 28-7 in the SEC Championship Game.
The Oklahoman's Colton Sulley and Tuscaloosa News' Colin Gay answered three of the biggest questions surrounding each program ahead of the game.
Is Oklahoma confident that its first meeting against Alabama was not a fluke?
Sulley: "I think Oklahoma fully realizes it was outplayed and outgained by Alabama earlier this season. However, given the Sooners knocked the Crimson Tide out of the College Football Playoff last season, and the way they were able to force turnovers on the road at Bryant-Denny Stadium gives them confidence. But, Alabama is still Alabama and OU is well aware of the challenge that awaits it Friday night."
What's been up with Ty Simpson and what does he need to do to improve?
Gay: “Ty Simpson has not been the same Simpson that he was early in the 2025 season, the one that can be trusted to lead an offense that may have not been flashy, but one that remained consistent, one that kept the ball moving forward and kept the ball out of the hands of the opponent. Lately, Simpson has been much more inaccurate. He’s been turnover prone. And he’s fallen under the weight of extensive pressure from opposing defensive fronts. Simpson has repeatedly asked about his health, questions to which he responds adamantly that he’s “great” and “excited” to face Oklahoma.
"Time also is on Simpson’s side with a two-week break before facing the explosive Sooners defense again. But is it enough time for Simpson to revert back to his old self when the Crimson Tide needs it most? Time will tell."
What separates Oklahoma's defense, and what is Ty Simpson in for?
Sulley: "You can't talk about the Sooners' defense without starting with their defensive line. Gracen Halton, Jayden Jackson, David Stone and Damonic Williams form one of the nation's best defensive tackle groups. Taylor Wein was an All-SEC selection on the edge. Not to mention, OU was missing perhaps its best player — defensive end R Mason Thomas — during its last three games of the regular season. The Sooners' linebacking corps — bolstered by Owen Heinecke, Kip Lewis and Kobie McKinzie — is also one of the country's best.
"The Crimson Tide will remember the Bowen brothers well in the secondary after Eli's pick-six and Peyton's game-sealing deflection just last month in Tuscaloosa."
How does Alabama view its two losses to OU the past 13 months? Self-inflicted?
Gay: “The 2024 loss is one Alabama would like to forget, one where its offense was entirely eliminated. The 2025 loss is a bit more explainable to the Crimson Tide, one that it can learn from. Alabama lost the turnover battle. Alabama missed a chip-shot field goal at the end of the first half. But as Alabama secured its first home loss in two years, the Crimson Tide outgained Oklahoma. The Crimson Tide limited Oklahoma’s overall production offensively. "And the Crimson Tide dominated time of possession. Alabama played its game in a game that was decided by a handful of plays.”
What is the key to an Oklahoma win, and a score prediction?
Sulley: "The key to victory for OU is all about the offense. We know what we're going to get from the defense. Which version of quarterback John Mateer will we see? If he doesn't turn the ball over, I like the Sooners' chances. Give me OU to edge Alabama once again, 20-14, and head to face No. 1 Indiana in the Rose Bowl."
Kalen DeBoer set the record straight about his job status the past couple of days. How does the Alabama fan base view him and even if he loses on Friday, should we take him at his word?
Gay: “As Alabama prepares for its first CFP game of the Kalen DeBoer era, much of the conversation has been about his job status. But over the course of rumors about the Penn State job or the open Michigan job, DeBoer’s message has been consistent: his family loves living in Tuscaloosa, he’s happy with what he’s built at Alabama and he’s looking forward to what he can do long term with the Crimson Tide. It’s a message Alabama is satisfied with, and one Crimson Tide fans have latched onto.
"Will that change if Alabama loses to Oklahoma in Norman? Maybe. But the message from DeBoer and from Alabama about DeBoer should remain consistent through it.”
OU vs. Alabama
KICKOFF: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19 at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman (ABC/ESPN)
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Answering biggest questions for OU football, Alabama ahead of CFP
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