In an SEC battle, we head to Norman, Oklahoma, where the Oklahoma Sooners (5-5, 1-5 SEC) host the Alabama Crimson Tide (8-2, 4-2). Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
The Crimson Tide are fresh off an expected win against FCS Mercer, 52-7. When it seemed like Alabama was going to miss the College Football Playoff this season, the Tide bounced back in a massive way with a 42-13 beatdown at LSU two weeks ago.
Talk about a fall from grace in Norman. Once a program that started the season 3-0, the Sooners have now lost 5 out of their last 7. Prior to their bye last week, they fell to Missouri by the score of 30-23. The only win they’ve accounted for since September was a 59-14 victory over FCS Maine 3 weeks ago.
Alabama enters as a -13.5 favorite with the over/under set at 47.5. So, where does the betting value lie?
Read further for my Alabama vs. Oklahoma predictions and college football picks for Saturday, Nov. 23.
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- Alabama vs. Oklahoma Pick: Oklahoma +13.5
My Oklahoma vs. Alabama best bet is on the Sooners to cover the spread, with the best line currently available at FanDuel, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Alabama vs. Oklahoma Odds, Spread, Betting Lines
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- Alabama vs. Oklahoma Spread: Alabama -13.5
- Alabama vs. Oklahoma Over/Under: 46.5
- Alabama vs. Oklahoma Moneyline: Alabama ML -650 · Oklahoma ML +475
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Alabama Crimson Tide Betting Preview
I’m curious to see what version of Jalen Milroe we get this week. Will it be the Milroe we saw at Tennessee? Or the one at LSU?
Regardless, there’s no denying how explosive he is. Despite being known for his incredible rushing ability — he leads all quarterbacks in rushing touchdowns — he still has a cannon for an arm that has helped achieve the seventh-most explosive passing attack in the nation.
Having freshman Ryan Williams helps, as the young stud averages 19 yards per catch and is a threat on the jet sweep. But it’s not just Williams that he throws to. Germie Bernard has become a reliable target, as have tight ends CJ Dippre and Josh Cuevas.
A lot of Bama’s success depends on the run game, though. In both losses to Tennessee and Vanderbilt, no one rushed for over 60 yards. In every win (except last week), there was at least one rusher over that number.
It will be interesting to see how the Tide match up with Oklahoma’s run defense, which ranks in the top 10 in explosiveness allowed, Rush Success Rate allowed and PPA allowed.
It also seems like defensive coordinator Kane Wommack is starting to get his players to buy in. The former South Alabama head coach admitted he had to dust himself off in defensive play-calling, something he hadn’t done since 2020.
Nowadays, the Bama defense ranks in the top 10 in both Overall Passing Success Rate allowed and Passing Down Success Rate allowed, as well as 34th in Havoc.
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Oklahoma Sooners Betting Preview
Oklahoma’s first season in the SEC has been an unmitigated disaster, and it blows my mind that this program has already committed to Brett Venables for next year.
A month ago, he fired offensive coordinator Seth Littrell midseason and still doesn’t have any idea who he’s hiring. It’s not exactly ideal timing with the transfer portal window opening up on Dec. 9.
He juggled starting quarterbacks with Jackson Arnold and freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. when it shouldn’t have even been a question. In the end, Arnold won his starting job back, but with no OC, he’s in a difficult position.
I don’t know what to make of the run game either. I’ve been a fan of freshman running back Taylor Tatum, but it’s been Jovantae Barnes who has received the bulk of the carries.
Running with Barnes has limited the Sooners’ ceiling, and his numbers are inflated due to a 203-yard performance against Maine. Before that, he was averaging just 3.7 yards per carry.
The thing is, Barnes didn’t make the trip to Missouri two weeks ago and is still listed as questionable. From the looks of it, we may see Gavin Sawchuk, who led the Sooners in rushing yards last season.
Venables has managed to get the most out of his defensem though. The run defense is among the best in college football, led by linebacker Danny Stutsman, who ranks in the top 20 in total tackles.
Additionally, OU has a dynamic secondary led by Robert Spears-Jennings and Billy Bowman Jr. Spears-Jennings is an incredible tackler, ranking second on the team in total tackles and tied for third in the nation in forced fumbles.
Oklahoma vs. Alabama Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Oklahoma and Alabama match up statistically:
Alabama Offense vs. Oklahoma Defense
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Offense
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Defense
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Edge
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| Rush Success | 48 | 4 |
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| Line Yards | 105 | 21 |
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| Pass Success | 11 | 67 |
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| Havoc | 70 | 25 |
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| Finishing Drives | 3 | 52 |
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| Quality Drives | 14 | 18 |
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Oklahoma Offense vs. Alabama Defense
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Offense
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Defense
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Edge
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| Rush Success | 90 | 28 |
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| Line Yards | 81 | 40 |
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| Pass Success | 124 | 17 |
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| Havoc | 128 | 31 |
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| Finishing Drives | 97 | 12 |
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| Quality Drives | 126 | 9 |
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Pace of Play / Other
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| PFF Tackling | 5 | 27 |
| PFF Coverage | 24 | 90 |
| Special Teams SP+ | 29 | 21 |
| Middle 8 | 3 | 80 |
| Seconds per Play | 27.4 (73) | 24.7 (20) |
| Rush Rate | 59% (38) | 57% (63) |
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I’m aware that I just spent most of my OU analysis ripping into Venables, but that’s because the Sooners should be better than what they are.
When you have that kind of talent, you should not be 1-5 in conference play.
I think the defense can keep them in games, though. Plus, given how reliant Alabama is on the run, we may see a closer game than the 13.5-point spread suggests.
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer will have to get creative, and Milroe will have to utilize his arm more this week, which shouldn’t be an issue. But they’ll need receivers to step up (looking mostly at you, Kendrick Law).
I still think the Tide win this, but with the Sooners’ strong defense and home-field advantage, this number is too big.
Pick: Oklahoma +13.5
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Alabama vs. Oklahoma Channel, How to Watch, Start Time, Streaming
| Location: | Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK |
| Date: | Saturday, Nov. 23 |
| Kickoff Time: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | ABC |
Alabama travels to Norman on Saturday, Nov. 23 to take on Oklahoma at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Alabama vs. Oklahoma Betting Trends
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Alabama vs. Oklahoma Weather
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