So, this past Friday, the Alabama Crimson Tide played against the Oklahoma Sooners in Norman for the kickoff to the CFP.
At first, Oklahoma goes off with a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. Oklahoma’s QB, John Mateer goes with a big scamper down the middle of the field to score the first touchdown of the game. Alabama finds no way to respond to the score, as Oklahoma is blitzing the offensive line of Alabama. Then, Oklahoma kicks at the end of the first quarter to make it 10-0.
In the 2nd quarter, John Mateer hits his favorite WR of the year, Isaiah Sategna, with a in-breaking slant to make it 17-0. As I was walking to a Yard House in Costa Mesa that night, I did not know what I was in for. However, the 2nd quarter started with Alabama’s QB, Ty Simpson, finding Lotzeir Brooks, for big gain after big gain, on their first scoring drive. After Alabama and Oklahoma exchange drives, Mateer throws a terrible pick to Zabien Brown, of Alabama, for a 50-yard pick six to even the score at 17-17 at halftime.
The 2nd half becomes an extension of the 2nd quarter, and Oklahoma collapses, on offense and defense, thus the game ends with Alabama winning 34-24.
Thoughts on both teams
Alabama Crimson Tide
It took a while for Alabama to really get moving. Ty Simpson seems to have trouble at times moving the football consistently. Alabama became a one-dimensional team because their running game was non-existent. When the running game is non-existent, that really limits the playbook of what a team can do. What ended up being a big deal for Alabama was confidence. Confidence can play a really big role in a game like this, and once Ty Simpson threw his first big pass to Lotzeir Brooks in the 2nd quarter, then things really got rolling for Alabama’s offense. The receivers unit as a whole deserved a game ball, because of their effort, and their overall contribution to their team’s performance.
The defense had a lot of reserves on the defensive line. However, they brought stunts and blitzes to get off the blocks of Oklahoma’s offensive-line and bring pressure to John Mateer. It seemed that on every other play, they were in Oklahoma’s backfield, especially in the 2nd half. If they want any chance of making the Rose Bowl competitive, they are going to have to bring consistent pressure to Indiana.
Oklahoma Sooners
What an awful collapse that Oklahoma endured here. It is inconceivable that Oklahoma just forgot how to play defense after the 2nd quarter started. Now, Brent Venables is going to see how much turnover his program has once it’s time for spring practice. We still don’t know what John Mateer is going to do regarding whether he’ll return to college or go for the NFL, as he is in his senior year of college ball. The answer to that question will help us understand how competitive Oklahoma will be, from an offensive standpoint.
Even though Brent Venables started calling the defense this year, the questions about his fit as a head coach are valid. Oklahoma is one of the most blue-blood programs. Their fans can’t be patient, for much longer.
Offseason Journey in the NFL 