TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— Kalen DeBoer has Alabama in the College Football Playoff in just his second season as the Crimson Tide's head coach. No. 9 Alabama (10-3) will travel to No. 8 Oklahoma (10-2) for the opening-round game on Friday.

Kalen DeBoer became the most popular name for the Michigan job almost immediately. The Wolverines fired Sherrone Moore for cause Wednesday, and before dinner could hit anyone’s plates, DeBoer was a name mentioned for the vacancy all across college football.

Alabama football could have a handful of players back for its first round meeting against Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff.