Following a regular season in which the team finished with a 10-3 overall record, the Alabama Crimson Tide are back in the College Football Playoff (CFP) for the first time since 2023.
The Crimson Tide’s first appearance in the 12-team CFP also, Alabama, the No. 9 seed, will be matched up with No. 8 seeded Oklahoma in the first round. Played in Norman, Oklahoma is a team which Alabama has already faced this season, a 23-21 loss in Tuscaloosa back on Nov. 15.
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As for the rematch, the line for this game earlier this week was very close, and this is likely shaping up to be a game in which a victory from either team would not surprise. However, what do we here at Roll Tide Wire think will happen Friday night between the Crimson Tide and Sooners?
Here are Roll Tide Wire’s predictions for the Crimson Tide and Sooners on Friday night.
Matt Melton’s prediction: Alabama Crimson Tide 26, Oklahoma Sooners 24
A matchup of two teams with stout defenses and struggling offenses, this game has all the makings of a close, low-scoring result similar to what we saw from Alabama and Oklahoma earlier this season. Aside from the turnovers, this was a game that Alabama likely should’ve won earlier this season, and despite playing in a tough environment inside Memorial Stadium, I’ll go with the Crimson Tide to get their revenge by winning a close defensive battle.
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Steve Holley’s prediction: Alabama Crimson Tide 23, Oklahoma Sooners 20
I went back and forth with this prediction and could easily see a repeat of the Sooners’ win in the regular season a month ago. Neither team inspires a lot of confidence on offense right now. With Josh Cuevas, who was a kind of hot hand against Oklahoma on Nov. 15 in Tuscaloosa, back at tight end for Alabama, that should help what’s been a pretty anemic offense for the Tide since… honestly the South Carolina game, really.
Brent Venables jas had Alabama’s number since he was the defensive coordinator at Clemson for Dabo Swinney, and the game being played in Norman favors the Sooners. That said, I think Alabama, with a few guys healthier, is motivated to avenge their last two losses to Oklahoma and finds a way to win a defensive struggle in Norman. The Tide plays hard for Kalen DeBoer in this game amid the distractions regarding other job openings.
Would it honestly shock anyone if we see a final score of 13-10 or so in favor of either team?
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Rob King’s prediction: Alabama Crimson Tide 22, Oklahoma Sooners 27
Oklahoma wins because Alabama doesn’t execute crisply enough to get the win. Ty’s deep ball accuracy and the Alabama running game are not enough to give the Tide the appropriate balance to beat the Sooners at home. Alabama leaves points on the board with missed opportunities from coaches and players.
Jake Boico’s prediction: Alabama Crimson Tide 27, Oklahoma Sooners 20
The Tide will look for revenge against an elite Sooners’ team on Friday night. Ty Simpson struggled against the Oklahoma defense a number of weeks ago in Tuscaloosa, but I believe Simpson and the Alabama offense as a whole will perform at a much higher level with the Tide’s season on the line. I predict Alabama to defeat the Sooners on the road in a close, hard-fought battle by a score of 27-20.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama football predictions vs. Oklahoma Sooners in CFP first round
