Who else would the Alabama Crimson Tide have to play in the first round of the College Football Playoff other than the only SEC team to beat them in the regular season?
Alabama is set to face the Oklahoma Sooners for a second time this season, and this time, the Tide has to take a road trip for the game.
After the final CFP rankings were released on Sunday, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer was asked about the rematch, and the Crimson Tide's leader said exactly what the team needed to hear ahead of the postseason.
Kalen DeBoer is ready for rematch in the CFP
"We understand them, they understand us," DeBoer said about the game on ESPN. "It's going to be hard fought."
The regular-season game between Alabama and Oklahoma was a disaster for the Tide; it's impossible to look at it any other way. Ty Simpson earned a quarterback rating of just 68.4, throwing one interception and just one touchdown.
The Alabama running back room combined for less than 90 yards, and Daniel Hill was the only one to find the end zone in the conference matchup.
Simpson and wide receiver Ryan Williams fumbled the ball one time apiece, and both were recovered by the dominant Oklahoma defense. The Sooners amassed four sacks and five tackles for loss. Simply put, OU overwhelmed 'Bama.
Of course, Alabama went on to beat Eastern Illinois and Auburn, and then played in the SEC title game, while Oklahoma sat at home during conference championship weekend. However, the Crimson Tide cannot treat this game lightly, and DeBoer clearly knows that.
No. 9 Alabama and No. 8 Oklahoma are scheduled to kick off in Norman, OK, at 7 p.m. CT on Friday, Dec. 19, and the game will be broadcast on ABC.