Alabama has a big opportunity in front of it this weekend against Oklahoma. It's about a lot more than revenge for last season's loss in Norman; a win on Saturday afternoon over the Sooners and the Crimson Tide will have all but locked up a College Football Playoff bid. They'll also likely have locked up a spot in the SEC Championship Game.
Lose, and the season will come down to the Iron Bowl in Jordan-Hare Stadium. Excuse me while I go find the nearest wastebasket.
Alabama has done well to put itself in this position in mid-November. But it will have all been for nothing if they can't finish the regular season better than they did a season ago.
Oklahoma is a quality opponent, a much better version than the one that took the Crimson Tide to the woodshed a year ago. That's fresh on Alabama's minds, but the execution, particularly on offense, will have to be at a level we haven't seen from them in recent weeks.
Hitting on a few of these bold predictions would surely help Alabama inch closer to victory.
3 bold predictions for Alabama vs. Oklahoma
Ty Simpson connects on multiple 30+ yard throws
Alabama has made a concerted effort to connect on deep balls in recent weeks. Last week against LSU, Ty Simpson hit Lotzeir Brooks for a 50+ yard bomb that set up the touchdown pass to Ryan Williams right before halftime that gave Alabama a two-touchdown advantage.
There were opportunities for others that Simpson just barely missed, including back-to-back in the third quarter, one to Brooks and another to Germie Bernard, that would have allowed Alabama to put the game away early.
I expect Alabama to continue to try and hit some deep shots. Though with Oklahoma's defensive front, the quick passing game will certainly be a big part of the offensive game plan. Ryan Grubb will mix in some shots, and this week I expect Simpson to hit more than one.
Ryan Williams produces 100+ receiving yards
If you look at just the numbers from a year ago, Williams' stats don't jump off the page against Oklahoma. He finished with only two receptions for 37 yards. That ignores, however, that the talented sophomore WR had two touchdowns called back.
One, he stepped out of bounds on in the first quarter that would have given Alabama an early 7-0 lead. The other was in the fourth quarter as the Crimson Tide attempted a late rally. Jalen Milroe hit Williams in the back of the endzone with Williams making a circus catch to haul it in for a touchdown. It was called back due to one of the single worst illegal formation calls you are bound to ever see.
Williams was one of the few who came to play last year in Norman. He won't be alone in that in Tuscaloosa this year, but as he gets healthier, he's going to continue to become a problem for defenses.
With my expectation that Simpson hits a few downfield shots, I believe one or more of them will be to Williams, who comes up with some big plays en route to a monster performance.
Bray Hubbard picks off John Mateer
Bray Hubbard has been a turnover machine for the Crimson Tide's defense this year. He's picked off three passes and forced a couple of fumbles. He nearly came up with a takeaway last week against LSU when he ripped the ball out from an LSU RB on the first drive of the game.
He's just got a knack for it.
He's likely to be one of the most important players for Alabama on Saturday. Kane Wommack has a lot of faith in the junior safety. He puts him in a position where his decision on whether to attack or drop directly impacts the success of the defensive call. He's played a lot in the box, but he will also drop back into coverage often.
Against a heavy-RPO offense like Oklahoma's, Hubbard will consistently be put in conflict. But he's exactly the guy you want in that position if you're Alabama.
John Mateer has been turnover-prone, particularly since he injured his hand against Auburn. He's thrown seven interceptions, and I expect that total to be at least eight after Saturday afternoon with Hubbard stepping in front of a Mateer pass and coming up with a key turnover.