Nick Saban made the term rat poison famous around Tuscaloosa, and this week's game against Oklahoma is the true definition of it for this Alabama team. We've seen this team rise in the rankings every Tuesday during the weekly show and as long as they win out a playoff spot is pretty much guaranteed, and an SEC championship game appearance is still very much in play as well.
Oklahoma on the other hand in their first year as an SEC member has had a rough first season. They have only won a single SEC game and are still looking for a sixth win to become bowl eligible. On paper, this should be an easy game for the Tide, and it will be as long as they show up focused on the game.
Coming into the season this was a spot I thought the Tide might struggle considering a big road game in between LSU and Auburn. Now this game worries me not so much from a competition standpoint, but more of this team not listening to the media and continuing to do what they are doing.
This football team has been getting better every week and as you start playing better the hype does increase making it possible to take your eyes off the goal for a minute. In today's SEC, you can be beaten any week, and Oklahoma is a program with a lot of pride.
This Sooners team will do everything it can to get bowl-eligible, so if Alabama comes into this game sleepwalking it could turn into a November shocker. We've seen some wild upsets every week this season, and having already been part of one this season I'm sure the leaders of this team will have everyone ready and focused for Saturday night in Norman.
Despite all the ups and downs of this season, this Alabama team is sitting in a prime position, and as long as the focus is inward and not outward the rest of this 2024 season will be fun.