Joel Klatt identifies biggest question in Alabama-Oklahoma rematch
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There are plenty of storylines swirling around the first-round College Football Playoff rematch between Oklahoma and Alabama. In the eyes of FOX’s Joel Klatt, one stands out as being more of a swing factor than the rest.
“The biggest question for me – and I think it’s the question of the entire game – can Oklahoma score?” Klatt posited this week on his show.
Just in terms of raw output, OU has a mediocre offense this season. The Sooners average 26.4 points a game, which ranks 77th nationally. Oklahoma’s offensive efficiency, though, is atrocious by Playoff standards. The Sooners rank 112th nationally in offensive success rate.
The offense hasn’t looked the same since quarterback John Mateer returned from a hand injury in the Red River Rivalry game earlier this season. But Oklahoma has managed just fine.
Oklahoma beat this same Alabama team in Tuscaloosa last month, 23-21. And the Sooners won each of their next 2 games despite managing only 17 points apiece.
To be fair, Alabama has questions of its own.
“Bama’s been dealing with a lot. I think they’ve got some distractions. There’s some question about how their focus is going to be,” Klatt said. “The quickest way to be defeated is to be distracted.”
But Oklahoma, a 1.5-point favorite (BetMGM), holds the keys to the car in this one.
“OU is elite in 2 of the 3 areas on their team. OU really struggles on offense. That’s the only thing in this game that gives me a lot of concern for Oklahoma,” Klatt said.
Nevertheless, Klatt sided with the Sooners.
“They find a way to get to 20 points,” Klatt said. “They get a couple of turnovers and they win it very similarly to the one that they won in Tuscaloosa.”
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET (ABC) on Friday.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
