Alabama Likely Without Star DE LT Overton for CFP Clash vs. Oklahoma - What That Means for the Tide Defense
As Alabama gears up for its College Football Playoff showdown with Oklahoma this Friday, the Crimson Tide are hoping to get as close to full strength as possible. There’s optimism around the return of several key contributors - including running back Jam Miller, offensive lineman Parker Brailsford, and tight end Josh Cuevas - but head coach Kalen DeBoer delivered a tough blow on Monday: senior defensive end LT Overton is “doubtful” to play.
That’s no small loss.
Overton, who missed the SEC Championship Game against Georgia due to an undisclosed illness, is a cornerstone of Alabama’s defensive front. He’s second on the team in sacks with four, trailing only Yhonzae Pierre’s 6.5, and his presence on the edge has been a major factor in the Tide’s ability to generate pressure and disrupt opposing quarterbacks.
“Continue to monitor him. I'd say he's doubtful for this weekend,” DeBoer said during his press conference, offering little in the way of specifics but clearly tempering expectations for Overton’s availability.
With Overton likely sidelined, Alabama will once again turn to its depth - and that depth will have to deliver in a high-stakes, win-or-go-home environment.
In the SEC title game, redshirt sophomore Jordan Renaud got the starting nod in Overton’s absence, logging 33 of Alabama’s 69 defensive snaps. Keon Keeley, a fellow redshirt sophomore and one of the more promising young pass rushers on the roster, played 25 snaps and could be in line for an even larger role against Oklahoma, especially given his edge-rushing upside.
Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack leaned on a rotation of bodies against Georgia, including some creative looks featuring Qua Russaw opposite Pierre in clear passing situations. Expect a similar approach this Friday - with perhaps a heavier dose of Keeley if Alabama wants to turn up the heat on Oklahoma’s passing game.
The Sooners’ ground attack, meanwhile, hasn’t exactly been lighting it up. They rank 127th nationally in Expected Points Added (EPA) per rush attempt, according to Game on Paper - a metric that paints a clear picture of just how ineffective their run game has been.
In the regular-season meeting between these two teams, Alabama held Oklahoma to just 74 yards on 28 carries. That’s barely 2.6 yards per attempt - a dominant showing by any standard.
Still, this is the College Football Playoff. Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, and Alabama’s margin for error is razor-thin, particularly with an offense that’s struggled to find consistent rhythm in recent weeks. The defense will have to carry a heavy load, and every snap without Overton on the field makes that challenge just a little steeper.
There is some potentially encouraging news, though. Florida transfer Kelby Collins, who also missed the SEC Championship Game due to illness, was spotted at practice on Monday. If he’s cleared to go, he could provide a much-needed boost to the defensive line rotation and help offset Overton’s absence.
Bottom line: Alabama’s defense is going to need to be sharp, disciplined, and disruptive on Friday night. Wommack will have to dial up a game plan that pressures Oklahoma’s quarterback, contains the run, and forces mistakes - all without one of his top defensive playmakers. If the Tide are going to punch their ticket to the national title game, it’ll likely be the defense that gets them there.