JessN: Oklahoma Preview: Bama's last pre-AU test may be its toughest yet

[JessN]

Oklahoma preview: Bama’s last pre-AU test may be its toughest yet​

by Jess Nicholas, TideFans.com Editor-In-Chief

There has been a great deal of chatter among pundits whether the old “offense sells tickets, defense wins championships” mantra is still valid in 2025.

Specifically, does defense still win championships, or is a vibrant offense more important to the equation? This game may go a long way to determining the answer, because while Alabama’s defense is playing at a high level right now, Oklahoma has probably the best all-around defense in the SEC. And with Alabama’s running game increasingly DOA, it might be too much to ask of QB Ty Simpson and his receivers to once again save Bama’s bacon.

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TideFans.com | By the Fans, For the Fans. - Oklahoma preview: Bama’s last pre-AU test may be its toughest yet

There has been a great deal of chatter among pundits whether the old “offense sells tickets, defense wins championships” mantra is still valid in 2025. Specifically, does defense still win champion…

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Week 12 Info: #11 Oklahoma @ #4 Alabama (ABC @ 230p CDT )

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  • Oklahoma Preview: Bama's last pre-AU test may be its toughest yet
  • Projected Depth Chart for Alabama vs. Oklahoma
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  • The "Pitfall Post" ... (What I'm most worried about)
• JessN's 2025 Alabama Previews
  • 2025 Fall Preview: Alabama Crimson Tide
  • "Pitfall Post" ... (What I'm most worried about)
  • QB | RB | WR | OL | DL | LB | DB | ST
• Week 12 Pickem

 

[Saban4Ever]

Thanks, Jess. Another close game I think. Hope we win.
It would be nice to be able to play a team like Kentucky or Florida or Miss State the next few weeks instead of OU and AU. This is a big game and will determine our playoff hopes.

 

[ROCKEE]

TideFans.com | By the Fans, For the Fans. - Oklahoma preview: Bama’s last pre-AU test may be its toughest yet

There has been a great deal of chatter among pundits whether the old “offense sells tickets, defense wins championships” mantra is still valid in 2025. Specifically, does defense still win champion…

news.tidefans.com

Thanks Jess!
Good enough for me. I’ll take another ugly win any day.

 

[DrollTide]

I think this comes down to whether Venables is better than Grubb, and whether defense travels. Unfortunately, yes to both. Inside runs for 1 yard are not the solution here.

 

[Rollingtide]

Really surprised you're picking us to win. I just don't see it. From what I have seen from the OU defense, I just don't see us scoring much. Hope I am wrong. And if our D is not ready to stop their QB option running game like last year it could be a long day.

 

[BamaDMD]

Stephen Garcia ——- nooooooooooooooooo!!!

 

[uaintn]

Thanks, Jess. Look forward to reading your work every week. Don't say thank you often enough.

I'm wondering if this game comes down to Wilkin Formby, of all people. I thought he was figuring it out till last weekend. You can bet CBV noticed that "effort" and Formby better be ready to go. If he's up to the task, it'll make a big difference.

 

[rolltide_21]

I miss the days of knowing Bama is going to win against 2-loss teams instead of “I hope we win.” I think this will be the biggest test of the year sans UGA. I do think Bama can win by a TD. DeBoer ball is different from the joyless murderball of the Saban era. As long as the outcome is the same- a W. I do think he’s done an excellent job of turning the season around and getting Bama back on track, and will win a lot of games at Bama. Stay the course and keep winning ball games.

 

[BamaDMD]

I miss the days of knowing Bama is going to win against 2-loss teams instead of “I hope we win.” I think this will be the biggest test of the year sans UGA. I do think Bama can win by a TD. DeBoer ball is different from the joyless murderball of the Saban era. As long as the outcome is the same- a W. I do think he’s done an excellent job of turning the season around and getting Bama back on track, and will win a lot of games at Bama. Stay the course and keep winning ball games.

I'm afraid that those days are over. A completely different landscape where any pretty good team has enough weapons to beat a Good team on any given day. Look at Penn St last weekend almost knocking off the Number 2 team.

 

[CoolBreeze]

Scary read pal. Thanks!

 

[colbysullivan]

I don’t have a great feeling about this one. I think this might be the game where our OL issues finally bites us. It might happen (again) against the Barn.

 

[TRU]

The lack of a running game and poor OL play will cost Bama sooner or later. I would prefer it happen against OK than the Barn. My criteria for a successful season remains the same: Beat Tennessee and then Auburn. This team has performed better than expected but it is not championship caliber. So just beat Auburn!!

 

[Bama9001]

The offensive line rose to the task against UGA. Maybe they need that kind of challenge to produce their best effort. We'll see tomorrow...big game.

 

[teamplayer]

Roll Tide is all I can say. The embarrassment in Norman last year and our running game this year provide me with zero confidence for this game.

 

[Rkharley98]

Great write up, Jess. O line has to show up. Give Ty time to pick them apart. Defensively, hold down Mateer. We win going away.

 

[Ledsteplin]

Thanks, Jess! This game, indeed, could determine Bama's playoff hopes. If they lose a close one, then win out big the last 2, I think they get in. But there's the SEC Championship, which could be Bama vs Texas A&M, or Georgia vs Texas A&M.
I'd like to see Bama's offense go back to the short yardage plays that were moving the chains and chewing up the clock. They looked good doing that. The deep passes need more practice reps. And if running off tackle at the Okie DL isn't working, then don't do it. There's other run plays and ways to utilize the RBs.