CFP First Round, Oklahoma hosts Alabama

Can Mateer Limit the Turnovers and Exceed 200 Yards

Before playing LSU three weeks ago, Mateer had only thrown one interception in five games. Against LSU, he threw three interceptions. That was the second time he had thrown three this season, having done so previously against Texas. He can not afford to do that against a team like Alabama, which has a much better offense than LSU. The only positive for Mateer going into Friday is that he is more confident throwing, even if it results in an interception. Before LSU, he hadn’t thrown for 300 yards since week one, but against LSU, he threw for 318 yards. If Mateer can find Sategna and Deion Burks early, and while staying patient in the pocket, Oklahoma can play its best offensive game all season. Rushing Issues Neither team has found success and consistency in the ground game all year. Alabama hasn’t rushed for over 100 yards against an FBS school since playing Tennessee in October. Against Georgia in the SEC championship, Alabama ran for 21 yards on seven attempts with running backs AK Dear and Daniel Hill. Now with lead rusher Jam Miller back this Friday, it’s crucial for them to establish or even attempt to establish the running game. For Oklahoma, it has been a mix of Xavier Robinson and Tory Blaylock all season. Both backs have had their moments, but lately neither has been able to get going. Against Missouri and LSU to end the season, neither back eclipsed 50 yards. The only positive in the run game has been Mateer, as he ran for 60 yards against Missouri. Still, Oklahoma has found a way to make it to the postseason without a consistent running game, so expect much of the same out of the run game.

Key Players

Kip Lewis, LB, Oklahoma

The Bowen brothers and Wein were the Sooners’ biggest playmakers on defense in the first matchup, but Lewis was just as dominant. He had two sacks in the game, one crucial one after the two-minute timeout. He also had seven solo tackles against the Tide. Last year, Lewis scored a late touchdown against Alabama, putting an exclamation point on the game. Lewis leads the second level with 72 total tackles on the season, 35 of which were solo. Now that Thomas is back, the Oklahoma defense seems at its peak, and Lewis gets them to the next round.

Germaine Bernard and Isaiah Horton, WRs, Alabama

Bernard and Horton have been the Tides’ most reliable receivers all season when it comes to finding the end zone. Bernard has nine total touchdowns, while Horton has eight. Against the Sooners, both guys had over 50 yards, but neither found the end zone. If Alabama wants to win on Friday, it will need to find either one of these guys in the back of the end zone.

Key Injury

LT Overton, DL Alabama

Overton was listed as out for Friday’s game due to an illness or medical condition, per Coach DeBoer. Overton missed the SEC Championship game with the same conditions. Alabama wasn’t able to fill that hole against Georgia, but they will look for players like James Smith and Tim Keenan II to produce on the line against Oklahoma. Overton’s replacement, Jordan Renaud, will also need to produce, as he had a sack in the SEC Championship. For both teams, it will be a battle, as the first game was known for its physicality. In the end, the winner will be the team that forces more turnovers, creates more pressure in the backfield, and establishes early momentum. Personally, I believe the Tide straightens out their mistakes from their previous matchup and wins a close and low-scoring game. Still, Coach Brent Venables has Alabama’s number in past playoffs, winning two national championships with Clemson. Once again, the winner is off to the Rose Bowl to face the number-one seed Indian Hoosiers on New Year’s Day. Stay tuned for future updates and previews on the playoffs. Enjoy the game and the remainder of the first round.