As we count down the final hours to the kickoff of the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff, the matchup between No. 9 Alabama and No. 8 Oklahoma is shaping up to be a heavyweight clash-and now we’ve got the final injury reports to help paint a clearer picture of what to expect when toe meets leather Friday night in Norman.
Let’s break it down.
Alabama: Mostly Steady, But Still Missing Key Depth
Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide enter this one with a relatively stable injury report. No major last-minute changes, but they’ll still be without several contributors, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
In the secondary, Alabama will be missing DBs Kameron Howard and Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., two young players who have seen rotational snaps this season. That could test Alabama’s depth against an Oklahoma offense that likes to spread the field and attack through the air.
Up front, DLs LT Overton and Jeremiah Beaman are also ruled out, thinning out the defensive line rotation. Overton, in particular, has been a valuable piece in Alabama’s pass-rush packages, and his absence could put more pressure on the starting front to generate pressure without help.
At linebacker, Jah-Marien Latham is out as well, removing a key piece of Alabama’s second-level defense. Latham’s versatility and experience have been a quiet strength for the Tide this season, and his absence could factor in when Oklahoma leans on its run game or tries to exploit the middle of the field.
Offensively, Alabama will be without RB Kevin Riley, a young back who’s shown flashes but hasn’t been a major part of the rotation. Still, depth matters in a playoff setting, and losing a fresh set of legs could impact Alabama’s ability to keep their backs fresh late in the game.
The good news? Both tight ends Josh Cuevas and Danny Lewis Jr. are listed as probable, which is a boost for Alabama’s offensive versatility. Expect to see them involved in both the passing game and as blockers in the run game.
Oklahoma: Barnes Back, But O-Line Takes a Hit
For Oklahoma, the headline is the return of running back Javontae Barnes, who is no longer listed on the injury report after being limited earlier in the week. That’s a major plus for the Sooners. Barnes brings a dynamic element to the ground game and adds balance to an offense that will need to stay multi-dimensional against Alabama’s defense.
However, the Sooners were dealt a blow on the offensive line. Jake Maikkula, who had been listed as questionable, has now been ruled out.
That’s a significant loss up front. Maikkula has been a steady presence on the line, and against an Alabama front that thrives on disruption, losing a starting lineman this close to kickoff is far from ideal.
Oklahoma will also be without OL Troy Everett, further testing the Sooners’ depth in the trenches. With two linemen down, Oklahoma may have to shuffle their protection schemes or rely more on quick passes to neutralize Alabama’s pass rush.
Defensively, the Sooners are down three defensive backs: Gentry Williams, Kendel Dolby, and Jeremiah Newcombe are all ruled out. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a secondary that will be tasked with containing Alabama’s speed on the perimeter and downfield. Williams and Dolby have both been key contributors this year, and their absence could open up opportunities for Alabama’s passing game to take some early shots.
What It Means Heading Into Kickoff
Both teams are dealing with injuries, but the impact feels a bit heavier on Oklahoma’s side-especially in the secondary and offensive line. Alabama may be missing some depth pieces, but their core remains largely intact.
For the Sooners, the return of Javontae Barnes is a much-needed boost, but keeping their quarterback upright and their defense disciplined in coverage will be critical. Alabama, meanwhile, will need to make the most of their tight end depth and find ways to pressure an Oklahoma offense that might be leaning on a reshuffled O-line.
This is playoff football now-every snap, every substitution, and every injury matters just a little more. And with kickoff just around the corner, all eyes turn to Norman for what promises to be a high-stakes, high-drama opening act to the expanded College Football Playoff.