They may be two of the most successful programs in college football history, but Alabama and Oklahoma have played just six times—most recently in the Orange Bowl following the 2018 season. Now both members of the SEC, the Crimson Tide and Sooners meet again Saturday in Norman, where Alabama is a 14-point road favorite.
Alabama enters having won three straight games over Missouri, LSU and FCS Mercer by a combined score of 128-20, covering in each of those contests. Oklahoma has lost four of its last five, its lone victory over that span against FCS Maine, and it hasn’t beaten an SEC opponent since Auburn in late September. The Sooners have covered only three times in their last eight games against FBS foes.
Alabama vs Oklahoma Odds
Martchup Page: Alabama vs Oklahoma, November 23, 7:30 pm ET
Odds as of November 19 from BetMGM
Alabama vs Oklahoma Picks – Week 13
So yeah, it’s a mess in Norman, even though coach Brent Venables recently received the dreaded vote of confidence from his administration. The Sooners gave away their most recent game at Missouri on a late turnover, losing outright as a 3-point road favorite. But at least that game was competitive—in their previous three SEC contests against Texas, Ole Miss and South Carolina, they were hammered by a cumulative score of 95-26.
Alabama meanwhile has rediscovered its offense since its slog of a loss at Tennessee on Oct. 19. The Crimson Tide rolled up nearly 500 yards of total offense in a pounding of Missouri, and then quarterback Jalen Milroe reinserted himself into the Heisman conversation with a career-high 185 rushing yards and four rushing TDs in a road thrashing of rival LSU. Alabama is averaging over 471 yards of offense over its last three games.
Oklahoma simply can’t keep up with that. The Sooners have gone back to Jackson Arnold at quarterback, with mixed results. OU’s once-vaunted defense has wilted from carrying the load, slipping to the middle of the pack in the SEC. Yes, it’s hard for double-digit road favorites to cover in the SEC—just one has done it entering this weekend. And yet given what we’ve seen from both teams recently, Alabama remains the play.
Alabama vs Oklahoma Week 13 Pick: Alabama -14
The Crimson Tide has been playing such lopsided games lately, they’ve gone UNDER the total in three straight against SEC opponents. Oklahoma is nearly even against the total versus FBS opponents, but the Sooners haven’t faced a number this high (relatively speaking) against an SEC opponent. We’ll stick with the UNDER trend given the wide disparity between the two offenses.
Alabama vs Oklahoma Week 13 Pick: UNDER 47.5
Alabama vs Oklahoma News
Crimson Tide starting safety Keon Sabb, who suffered a lower-body injury against Tennessee, underwent surgery and will miss the remainder of the season, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer told reporters Monday in Tuscaloosa. Oklahoma’s offensive line has been riddled with injuries, with Joshua Bates, Gerian Hatchett, Jacob Sexton, Michael Tarquin and Jake Taylor all missing time. OU’s receiver corps has also been beat up, though last weekend’s open date could help in a few of those instances.
Alabama vs Oklahoma Prop Bet: Jalen Milroe OVER 214.5 Pass Yards (-115)
Oklahoma’s defense may not be what it was early in the season, but the Sooners remain very good against the run, allowing opponents an average of 109 rush yards per game. That likely opens up the passing game for Milroe, who’s thrown for 215 yards or more in four of his last six starts against SEC competition.