The Sooners have to feel good about their chances as long as quarterback John Mateer is good to go. Mateer, who was at times thought of as a Heisman Trophy contender this season, injured his thumb midseason in a game against Auburn.

And Venables went back to doing what he does best — hiring himself as defensive coordinator after his protege, Zac Alley, left for West Virginia. The 2025 Sooner defense rivals the best defenses Venables coordinated at Clemson in the 2010s and at OU in the early 2000s.

It seems like everything this week, leading up to the game, has been primarily Alabama Crimson Tide players and coaches saying something about the Oklahoma Sooners. And yet, Oklahoma has really done nothing but tal k about the game and give Bama the credit they rightfully deserve.

Alabama's CFP first round opponent, Oklahoma has many names to know, headlined by the 2025 Lou Groza Award winner.

Unlike last year's debut of the 12-team College Football Playoff, weather should not be a factor in any of the first-round games Friday and Saturday.

No, the Sooners do not play football on Dec. 13. The Sooners will face Alabama in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Friday, Dec. 19, at Owen Field in Norman. Kickoff for the quarterfinal is set for 7 p.m. CT Friday, Dec. 19.

The Oklahoma Sooners could have a pair of key starters available for the College Football Playoff game vs. Alabama.

John Mateer has been spotted with Oklahoma feature twirler Samantha Rose, but fans claim he's dating someone from Houston.

Oklahoma forced three turnovers and sacked Ty Simpson four times to pull of its biggest win since joining the SEC

The Oklahoma Sooners and Alabama Crimson Tide are set to play a College Football Playoff game against one another. The only thing is, this one isn't a neutral-site game – Oklahoma is hosting it. That means the atmosphere advantage will fall into OU's hands, just as it did for Bama six weeks ago in Tuscaloosa.