Alabama football finished minus-3 in turnover margin against Oklahoma in the first matchup this season. That falls on the offense mainly, but the Crimson Tide wants to fix that this time around, too.

The Sooners could get a major defensive boost Friday night in Norman, though new CFP player availability reporting rules may soon clarify who’s in — and who’s not — against the Crimson Tide.

Oklahoma football coach Brent Venables pays his respects to Alabama's Kalen DeBoer ahead of their rematch in the College Football Playoffs.

Simpson has two straight games with less than a 55% completion percentage, combining for 334 yards, four touchdowns and an interception in his last two games against Auburn and Georgia. Simpson has led an offense that has not scored more than 30 points agains an FBS team since Saturday, Oct. 18.

Notre Dame’s exclusion from the playoff and the surrounding controversy could prompt the commissioners to finally agree on a 16-team format for next season.