Alabama is attempting to maintain its School Soccer Playoff possibilities afloat whereas Oklahoma is working to increase its bowl streak.
The No. 7 Crimson Tide and the Sooners will sq. off for the primary time as Southeastern Convention rivals on Saturday in Norman, Okla.
Alabama (8-2, 4-2 SEC) is using a three-game successful streak that has put Kalen DeBoer’s staff again into playoff competition. The Sooners (5-5, 1-5) have dropped 4 consecutive convention video games to place their 25-season bowl streak into hazard.
Turnovers determine to play a major function on Saturday. The Crimson Tide are tied for fourth nationally in turnover margin at plus-13, whereas the Sooners are tied for 72nd at minus-one.
Alabama has compelled three or extra turnovers in every of its final 5 video games, together with 9 interceptions. Oklahoma has turned the ball over a complete of 13 instances over its final 5 video games.
On Tuesday, Sooners coach Brent Venables identified the scoring margin off turnovers in his staff’s wins versus its losses. Oklahoma is outscoring opponents 63-6 off turnovers in its wins and being outscored 58-7 off turnovers in its losses.
“Whenever you maintain the ball, once more, good issues will often occur,” Venables stated.
Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe presents a novel problem for the Sooners. He’s averaging 223.2 passing yards and 60.8 dashing yards per sport. He is thrown for 15 touchdowns with simply six interceptions and has rushed for 17 scores.
“He is, I feel, again in a extremely great spot with belief within the guys round him,” DeBoer stated. “There’s been a little bit extra continuity with the follow, talent gamers, offensive line. … He is develop into extra comfy in understanding what our staff wants from him to have the ability to win SEC soccer video games.”
The Sooners aren’t almost as settled at quarterback, though sophomore Jackson Arnold will make his fourth consecutive begin since regaining the function in mid-October.
Arnold fumbled thrice — shedding two — within the Sooners’ 30-23 loss to Missouri on Nov. 9 heading right into a bye week. A kind of fumbles got here close to the top of the sport and was returned for what in the end was the game-winning landing.
“I am unable to fumble like that,” Arnold stated. “Cannot flip the ball over however on the identical time, we have got two extra video games. We have two extra nice groups we have got to play so we have got to place it behind us and transfer ahead.”
Arnold is hoping to have a pair targets again as an even bigger a part of the offense Saturday.
Huge receivers Jalil Farooq and Deion Burks returned after lengthy absences towards Missouri. Burks completed with 5 catches for 44 yards whereas Farooq had two receptions for 11 yards.
Venables stated each may see extra motion towards Alabama.
“They needed to knock off a little bit little bit of rust,” Venables stated. “Definitely the amount, their play capability wasn’t what it could usually be. … We’re hoping that can proceed to enhance as we transfer ahead.”
DeBoer stated this week that Crimson Tide beginning security Keon Sabb was out for the season after present process surgical procedure.
The Tide and the Sooners have met six instances beforehand, with the final coming in December 2018 in a School Soccer Playoff semifinal. Alabama recorded a 45-34 win.
–Discipline Stage Media