Hosting the Crimson Tide in Norman will be a reversal of the Sooners' last battle with Alabama earlier this season. Oklahoma toppled the then-No. 4 team in the country 23-21 in Tuscaloosa, which very well may have been the determining factor in giving it a home game this time around in the playoff.

OU football offensive lineman Jake Maikkula and defensive end R Mason Thomas will participate in practices this week, Brent Venables said Monday.

The Sooners' coach shared a practice anecdote that has him ready to see his team square off with Alabama in Norman on Friday night.

Brent Venables has got to be feeling good about where the Oklahoma Sooners are in his fourth season with the program. There have certainly been ups and downs for him in Norman, but he currently has the Sooners ranked No.

Oklahoma finished the season as the third-best defense according to SP+, and it ranks sixth in yards per play (4.1), seventh in points allowed (14.9), and second in sack percentage (10.05). The Sooners put up those numbers against the 12th-hardest schedule in college football. They’re prepared for this gauntlet.

Sooners have been playing must-win games since October ended, preparing them for CFP run.

Oklahoma has done a lot of winning on the field this season, but Brent Venables is also having some success off it. On the first day of the early signing period, the Oklahoma Sooners have a top-15 ranked recruiting class in the nation, according to 247 Sports.

Former Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops officially retires from coaching after his UFL stint, closing the book on a legendary football career.

Golding and Co. add another impressive staffer for the 2026 season, continue assembling group for next season.