If Alabama wants to beat Oklahoma on Friday night and have a shot at making a run in the College Football Playoff, it needs a lot more out of a reeling offense. It starts with QB Ty Simpson, who has looked like a shell of the guy who was playing as if he were the best QB in the country throughout September and October.
In November and on, Simpson has struggled. It's not all on him, but he hasn't been the floor or ceiling-raiser he was in the two previous months. He hasn't been the problem, but he has certainly been a problem.
If Alabama can get the Simpson it got in the middle of the season, this team has the ability to beat anyone. If it gets the Simpson we've seen the last few weeks, then Alabama's season probably ends in Norman on Friday night.
Simpson seems to have the right mindset heading into the CFP. He - nor any of his teammates - should find the stage overwhelming.
"We're Alabama, we expect to be in the playoffs," Simpson said. "This isn't uncommon to us, being in a primetime game like this in a big-time environment.
"We know what's at stake and we're built for it."
Ty Simpson says Alabama is built for the big stage in the CFP
One thing to Alabama's advantage in the CFP is that this team is as battle-tested as any in the country. The Crimson Tide went through the gauntlet in the regular season and has been able to get relatively healthy since the SEC Championship Game.
Getting healthy could be as pivotal as anything for the Alabama offense to return to midseason form. Guys like Jam Miller, Josh Cuevas, and Kam Dewberry should all be able to return after missing the Tide's second matchup against Georgia in Atlanta.
Center Parker Brailsford, who has been hobbled with a foot injury, should be closer to full strength, too, which Kalen DeBoer called a "big deal."
One of Simpson's favorite sayings, which he repeated during his media availability on Monday, is "prepare like you've never won, perform like you've never lost."
That means to pour everything into your preparation and then play with unbridled confidence. Simpson would be wise to heed his own advice. He has not performed with much confidence in recent weeks.
In a win-or-go-home environment against Oklahoma, Simpson has to go out there and let it rip.