This week, Oklahoma coach Brent Venables talked about some opinions that the Sooners don't belong in the playoff. Maybe so, but Alabama Football wins any 'don't belong' contest in the minds of many college football fans.
There is considerable respect for how good the Sooners are defensively. Alabama Football has a top 10 defense according to Brian Femeau's opponent-adjusted Defensive Efficiency. Oklahoma is better, ranked No. 4 in the FBS, with Alabama ranked No. 10.
Fortunately for the Crimson Tide, it is No. 12 in opponent-adjusted Offensive Efficiency. That ranking is impressive given Alabama's weakness in running the ball. Oklahoma is far behind the Crimson Tide in offensive efficiency, ranked No. 52.
The Sooners are fortunate to have a neutralizer for their average offense. It is placekicker Tate Sandell. For a football player, Sandell is pretty short at 5'9". His football pants are not just short. They are short shorts. The attire makes him look goofy, but his kicking prowess is undeniable. Sandell is one of three finalists for the Lou Groza Award.
Sandell has scored 102 points for the Sooners this season. That amounts to 32% of Oklahoma's scoring output of 317 points. Sandell transferred from UTSA and missed his first field goal for the Sooners. Since the miss, he has made 23 straight. His accuracy outside 50 yards is exceptional. He has seven makes of over 50 yards, and four of them have been 55+ yards.
Alabama Football relying on Conor Talty?
Assuming that Oklahoma has more defensive success against Alabama than it did in Tuscaloosa, the scoring for both teams may not reach the combined 44 points in the previous contest. Sandell might be called on often, and there is no reason to expect his 95.8% success rate will suddenly erode. If Alabama has to counter with multiple field goals by Conor Talty, would he deliver? Talty is 13-for-20 on the season (65%), including misses from as close as 28 yards. Talty was solid in the Iron Bowl, with makes from 45 and 29 yards. Talty also had a make against Missouri of 48 yards. It has been reported that he has made a 55-yard kick in practice.
Alabama football fans are hoping that Talty will not be needed to kick a game winner in Norman.
Note: Player stats provided by Sports Reference