David Pollack's Take on Oklahoma's Chance to Beat Alabama
In a highly anticipated SEC showdown, No. 4 Alabama and No. 11 Oklahoma will face off on Saturday. College football expert David Pollack offers his insights, predicting a close game and highlighting key factors that could sway the outcome in Oklahoma's favor.
Pollack begins by emphasizing Alabama's struggles against running quarterbacks, a point he's made numerous times. He specifically mentions John Mateer, Oklahoma's quarterback, who has been a dynamic runner despite an injured hand affecting his passing game. Mateer's ability to tote the ball 15 times could be a game-changer, especially considering Alabama's recent vulnerability to rushing attacks, as evidenced by their season-opening loss to Florida State.
However, Pollack's confidence in Oklahoma's chances isn't solely based on Mateer's running prowess. He praises Oklahoma's defense, noting their impressive 33 sacks this season, which ranks fourth in the nation. This formidable pass rush could significantly impact the game, as it has the potential to disrupt Alabama's pass-heavy offense.
Pollack's prediction leans towards Oklahoma's favor, with a score of 24-20. He attributes this to Oklahoma's strong pass rush, led by players like David Stone, R Mason Thomas, and Gracen Halton. He believes that these players can effectively counter Alabama's one-dimensional offense, especially if the Crimson Tide plays poorly.
The game carries added significance for both teams. Alabama aims to prove Pollack wrong after their loss to Oklahoma last season, while the Sooners are desperate to avoid a loss that would likely eliminate them from College Football Playoff contention. With unranked opponents in their final two regular-season games, Oklahoma's season could hinge on this Saturday's outcome.
The highly anticipated match will take place at 2:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on ABC.
