The 12-team College Football Playoff has presented some good matchups. Here is the CFP First Round Preview: Alabama at Oklahoma.
Alabama won 10 games and made the SEC Championship Game, which helped them make the CFP after they missed last season. Alabama defeated five bowl-eligible teams this season: Georgia, Vanderbilt, Missouri, Tennessee and LSU. Only one of their three losses was to a team that didn’t make a bowl game: Florida State. Another one of their losses was at home to Oklahoma, a game which they lost 23-21.
The Crimson Tide score 31.4 points per game, ranking 41st in the country. They rush for 116.2 yards (ranked 116th) and pass for 273.2 yards (ranked 21st) per game.
Ty Simpson has impressed at quarterback this season for the Crimson Tide, but has cooled off lately. He has passed for 3,268 yards, 26 touchdowns and five interceptions on 64.3 percent completion. Five pass-catchers have over 300 receiving yards on the season. Germie Bernard has been the leading receiver with 57 catches for 762 yards and seven touchdowns. Ryan Williams has been a bit disappointing against his preseason expectations, as he has 42 catches for 631 yards and four touchdowns.
Three running backs have at least 200 rushing yards on the season. Jam Miller has battled injuries, but has 493 yards and three touchdowns as Alabama’s leading rusher. Daniel Hill and Kevin Riley have helped out, too with 228 and 222 rushing yards, respectively.
The Crimson Tide defense allows 17.4 points per game, ranking 12th in the country. They give up 125.6 rushing yards (ranked 36th) and 157.7 passing yards (ranked sixth) per game. Justin Jefferson and Deontae Lawson lead the team with 67 and 66 total tackles, respectively. Yhonzae Pierre has the team-high with six sacks. Bray Hubbard has made some plays in the secondary with eight passes defended and four interceptions.
The Sooners won 10 games to make the CFP for the first time in the 12-team era. They defeated five bowl-eligible teams this season: Michigan, Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri and LSU. Both of their losses were to teams that made a bowl game: Ole Miss and Texas.
Oklahoma scores 26.4 points per game, tying them for 77th in the FBS. They rush for 123.8 yards (ranked 106th) and pass for 229.9 yards (ranked 61st) per game.
John Mateer transferred in Washington State and played solidly, even through a hand injury this season. He has passed for 2,578 yards, 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 62.1 percent completion. Four receivers have at least 200 receiving yards on the year. Isaiah Sategna has been the most impressive receiver with 65 catches for 948 yards and seven touchdowns. Deion Burks and Jaren Kanak have also been good this season, with 513 and 511 yards apiece.
Three players have done the majority of the rushing work for the Sooners. Troy Blaylock leads the team with 444 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Xavier Robinson has put up 417 yards and four touchdowns. Mateer has been an effective rusher when healthy, rushing for 416 yards and seven touchdowns.
Defensively, the Sooners give up 13.9 points per game, ranking seventh in the FBS. They concede 81.4 rushing yards (ranked fifth) and 192.2 passing yards (ranked 31st) per game. Kip Lewis paces the team with 72 total tackles. R Mason Thomas has missed some time at the end of the season, but still leads the team with 6.5 sacks. Peyton Bowen was impressive in the secondary with seven passes defended and two interceptions.
Oklahoma won the last time these two teams played, but that was because of turnovers. Alabama should be able to move the ball decently through the air and take a lead. If they do that, it will be tough for the Sooners to catch up because of their lack of firepower. This is especially true if the Crimson Tide can keep John Mateer in the pocket and not let him use his legs.
Alabama Crimson Tide 24 Oklahoma Sooners 17
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