While Alabama won't be completely full strength for Friday night's College Football Playoff matchup at Oklahoma, it's going to be closer than it has been in well over a month.
Alabama was a beaten-up team when it faced Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. Georgia treated it as such with a 28-7 bludgeoning of the Crimson Tide in Atlanta, which put Alabama's College Football Playoff hopes in doubt.
Alabama snuck into the playoff anyway, and now it could be gearing up for a run with the return of several key players.
Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb indicated in his Tuesday press conference that both Jam Miller and Josh Cuevas will play against Oklahoma.
Miller has been trending in the right direction all week after sitting out the SEC Championship Game following a lower-body injury he suffered in the Iron Bowl. Grubb said he believes Miller will be a "full go" against the Sooners.
He didn't say the exact same thing about Cuevas, who has missed Alabama's last three games after suffering a foot injury in practice, but his remarks make it seem likely that Cuevas will be able to play, too, especially on the heels of what Ty Simpson said on Monday.
Grubb said that Alabama's offense has been missing Cuevas, and that "he's been looking great, and we're excited to have him back out there."
Alabama should have Jam Miller and Josh Cuevas back vs. Oklahoma in the CFP
Miller was mostly ineffective against Oklahoma in the regular-season meeting. He managed just 27 yards on nine carries, with redshirt freshman Daniel Hill taking on the starring role in the backfield with 60 yards on 15 attempts.
But Miller turned the corner against Auburn in the Iron Bowl. He led a rejuvenated Alabama rushing attack, picking up 83 yards on 15 carries before being knocked out of the game in the fourth quarter with the injury.
Without Miller, Alabama finished with -3 rushing yards against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game.
Cuevas hasn't played since the regular season meeting in Tuscaloosa against Oklahoma. The senior tight end had his best game of the year statistically, racking up 80 yards and a touchdown on six receptions.
Cuevas suffered a foot injury during practice the following week and has been out since. He's a pivotal part of the offense with his ability as a blocker and a safety blanket for Simpson.
Alabama will need all the help it can get against an elite Oklahoma defense. Having both Miller and Cuevas healthy will go a long way toward the Crimson Tide finding success offensively.