Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer is not here to lose against Oklahoma in the final weeks of the regular season and he made it pretty clear when previewing their showdown vs. Oklahoma on Thursday.
“Another opportunity for us to go on the road and prove what we did last time we were on the road, that it’s for real,” DeBoer said on the Hey Coach.
“We got to make it happen though, it doesn’t happen on its own and that starts with the work that we’ve done all week long. I think the guys have really poured into that all season long but you can really see the focus continue to be on the right things, the things that matter and that’s what’s led to our Success here the last few weeks,” DeBoer added.
Jalen Milroe had also joined DeBoer for the latest edition of Hey Coach and gave his two cents on facing Oklahoma and why it is important for them to stay grounded with all the odds in their favor.
We can’t get to that moment unless we take care of right now,” Milroe said. “I think that’s so important for us is just refocus, understand the task at hand––which is to master right now. That’s the biggest thing we have to do is master right now, focus on our team goals as far as going 1-0, constantly just trying to get better and having that killer instinct that coach DeBoer mentioned to us as this week’s motto. I think it’s so important for all of us to just have that mindset.”
Oklahoma (5-5) is coming off a 23-30 loss to Missouri, the team that Alabama defeated in their most dominant display all season. No wonder the odds are stacked in their favor; though so was the Vanderbilt game. That experience is probably why Milroe is advocating on going 1-0.
Alabama’s 3 keys to bringing down Oklahoma in Week 13 of college football
Fox Sports predicted Bama to dominate Oklahoma on Saturday with a score of 30-17. Whereas AL.com laid out a map for Bama to reach there with 3 milestones: pressurize the QB, keep creating turnovers, and continue the Jalen Milroe threat.
The Crimson Tide’s focus should be on the Sooners QB Jackson Arnold, pressuring him into making mistakes. Additionally, gaining extra possessions will give them that edge to get more points on the board.
Milroe’s performance vs. Tennessee was formidable enough for their remaining opponents, but to continue that formidability, Milroe will need to play in form.
Oklahoma will be Bama’s SEC opponent since they took down Mercer, which is why a loss against the No. 13 team in the SEC standings would be even more embarrassing for Alabama.