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LIVE Updates: Oklahoma vs. Alabama live score, highlights from The Week 12 SEC contest

Jason Jones

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LIVE Updates: Oklahoma vs Alabama live score, highlights from the Week 12 SEC matchup image

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TL;DR

  • Oklahoma seeks playoff hopes against Alabama, who aims to maintain performance.
  • Oklahoma's John Mateer's rushing ability is key against Alabama's defense.
  • Oklahoma's pass rush must disrupt Alabama's strong pass blocking offensive line.
  • This game determines Alabama's SEC title path or Oklahoma's playoff chances.

Kickoff coming shortly...

Oklahoma vs Alabama Game Preview: 

Both teams share the same objective in this contest, though their routes to it diverge significantly. Oklahoma is competing for their postseason aspirations, whereas Alabama simply needs to maintain their current performance level. For Oklahoma, this matchup concludes a challenging sequence of games against three nationally ranked SEC adversaries.

A victory for Oklahoma today would place them in a tie for their overall record with Alabama, and they might ascend in the rankings if Georgia defeats Texas later. Should Alabama prevail, they'll continue on their present collision course with Texas A&M, assuming the Aggies overcome South Carolina.

On paper, this contest should favor Alabama. Nevertheless, the Alabama defense has repeatedly faltered against a specific threat this season: mobile quarterbacks. Crimson Tide supporters may even view this as a chance for retribution, given that Oklahoma defeated them last year, effectively ending their playoff aspirations.

A key matchup to watch involves Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer and Alabama's linebackers. For Oklahoma to secure a victory, it's likely Mateer's rushing ability will play a significant role. Mateer's passing performance hasn't been exceptional since the initial conference game against Auburn, where he threw for 271 yards with a 67% completion rate. Nevertheless, in his most recent outing against Tennessee, Mateer gained 80 yards on the ground and scored a touchdown.

The Oklahoma pass rush versus the Alabama offensive line presents another key matchup. Oklahoma must find methods to disrupt Alabama's passing attack. Brent Venables' Sooners employ the fourth-highest blitz rate among all Power 4 teams. Alabama ranks seventhth best pass blocking offensive line in the nation. As well as being the 4th best team in the nation against the blitz.

This game's outcome will either advance Alabama toward the SEC title game or keep Oklahoma's playoff hopes alive as the season nears its end.

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Contributing Writer