After dealing with foot injury, Jayden Jackson ready to compete in College Football Playoff
(by Jesse Crittenden) NORMAN — When the first College Football Playoff availability report dropped on Tuesday, there was understandably a lot of attention on the status of R Mason Thomas and Jake Maikkula. But there was one noticeable (and welcomed) absence for the Sooners — Jayden Jackson. The sophomore defensive tackle...read more from the OUInsider
How Does the Sooners On SI Staff Think Oklahoma Will Fare Against Alabama in the CFP?
John Hoover; These remain two very good defenses and two middling offenses. Alabama QB Ty Simpson hasn’t been very effective since he suffered two turnovers against the Sooners back on Nov. 15. Oklahoma QB John Mateer hasn’t been since … well, since thumb surgery and his three-INT performance against Texas in the Cotton...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
3 Keys on offense for the Oklahoma Sooners vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
(by John Williams) The Oklahoma Sooners head into their Friday night affair with the Alabama Crimson Tide hoping to do something that hasn't been done in 130 years: beat the Tide for a second time in a season. Oklahoma is 2-0 against Kalen DeBoer with Brent Venables at the helm, but it's the College Football Playoff. It's a new season...read more from the Sooners Wire
Oklahoma availability report: The latest on Jake Maikkula ahead of CFP game against Alabama
(by Tom Green) NORMAN — The status of Oklahoma starting center Jake Maikkula is still uncertain 48 hours before the first round of the College Football Playoff. Maikkula was listed as questionable for the second day in a row on the Sooners’ official availability report released Wednesday. The 6-foot-5, 299-pound redshirt junior missed the...read more from Sooners Illustrated
OU QB John Mateer 'better than he's been' as thumb recovers before College Football Playoffs
(by Joshua McDaniel) OU redshirt junior quarterback practiced without hand tape on Monday. Head coach Brent Venables said that, while Mater is not fully healed, the lack of tape marks a positive sign in recovery. "He still has some soreness, so he he's not pain free," Venables said. "From a stability standpoint, he's better than he's been (with)...read more from the OU Daily
Vegas makes stunning Oklahoma-Alabama reversal before CFP rematch
(by Dekota Gregory) Vegas oddsmakers just hopped on the Oklahoma Sooners’ bandwagon. After every major sportsbook opened the No. 8 Sooners as underdogs in a home rematch with No. 9 Alabama in the first round of the College Football Playoff at 7 p.m. CT Friday in Norman, oddsmakers completely flipped just two days before kickoff...read more from Stormin' in Norman
R Mason Thomas set to return for Oklahoma in College Football Playoff
(by Brody Lusk) If there was one moment that flipped Oklahoma’s season, it happened under the lights in Neyland Stadium on November 1. The game was scoreless, Tennessee was driving, and then everything changed. Owen Heinecke stripped the ball from Vols quarterback Joey Aguilar, and R Mason Thomas scooped it up and returned...read more from the OUInsider
Oklahoma's Kendal Daniels Ready for 'Real Special' Home-State Finale in CFP
(by Brady Trantham) NORMAN — It's been a big week on top of a big season for Kendal Daniels. The transfer from Oklahoma State just recently celebrated his 23rd birthday on Tuesday and hopes to celebrate a College Football Playoff win on Friday in Norman. The location of the game holds special meaning for someone who grew up in...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Oklahoma's Special Teams Success Goes Far Beyond Tate Sandell, Grayson Miller and Isaiah Sategna
(by Ryan Aber) NORMAN — Kicker Tate Sandell, punter Grayson Miller and punt returner Isaiah Sategna have received the bulk of attention among Oklahoma’s players for the Sooners’ special teams success this season. But the reasons for OU’s success among the group goes far deeper than just players kicking the ball and the ones...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
SoonerScoop podcast: Will the OU defense figure out Bama a second time?
(by Bob Przybylo) There is a reason OU fans are feeling pretty confident heading into the rematch against Alabama. They remember what the OU defense was able to do against Bama in the second half. For all the success the Crimson Tide had early, the Sooners put the clamps on that vaunted offense when it mattered most...listen to podcast from the SoonerScoop
Pre-Snap Read: Oklahoma vs. Alabama, Pt. 2
(by Bryan Clinton) Here we go again. After putting together the most impressive stretch of football in Brent Venables’ tenure, No. 8 Oklahoma (10-2, 6-2 SEC) is set to host their first-ever home College Football Playoff game in Norman. Their opponent is a familiar one, as No. 9 Alabama (10-3, 7-1 SEC) comes to town looking to avenge a 23-21 loss...read more from the OUInsider
Oklahoma OC Ben Arbuckle Says RBs Have Been 'Really Tough' Throughout Rehab Process
(by Carson Field) NORMAN — The Sooners are hoping that their running back room will be a bit fresher when they take on Alabama on Friday. Oklahoma went 4-0 in its grueling final four-game stretch that included games against Tennessee and Alabama on the road and Missouri and LSU at home. The Sooners did so with running back...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Availability Report: Updates on R Mason Thomas, Jake Maikkula ahead of College Football Playoff
(by Jesse Crittenden) The first College Football Playoff availability report brought some interesting news for the Sooners. All eyes have been on defensive end R Mason Thomas and center Jake Maikkula ahead of Friday’s first-round clash with Alabama (7 p.m. CT, ABC). Fortunately for the Sooners, Thomas is not listed and is on track to be...read more from the OUInsider
Tony Jefferson sends loud message to 5-star safety eyeing Oklahoma
(by Dekota Gregory) It's been over a decade since Tony Jefferson played a game for the Oklahoma Sooners, but he's still trying to help his alma mater win football games all these years later. Honor Fa’alave Johnson, a five-star safety in the 2027 class, on Tuesday included OU in his top 10 school options, as well as Texas, Texas A&M...read more from Stormin' in Norman
SIP Ep. 234 | Will R Mason Thomas and Jake Maikkula play vs Alabama? + Could we see Jovantae Barnes?
(by Josh Callaway) With just three days until Oklahoma finally takes the field in the College Football Playoff, the Sooners Illustrated Podcast is back with a brand new episode. Sooners Illustrated's Josh Callaway and Collin Kennedy dive into the latest rumblings out of Norman as they try to sift through the availability of defensive end...listen to podcast from Sooners Illustrated
Why this season has been the 'culmination of everything' for Tate Sandell
(by Jesse Crittenden) NORMAN — After a regular season filled with big moments and incredibly meaningful field goals, the accolades have piled up for Tate Sandell. The Lou Groza Award. First-Team All SEC. SEC Special Teams Player of the Year. Just to name a few. But for Sandell, this season has been more meaningful than simply earning...read more from the OUInsider
'One Day at a Time:' Oklahoma QB John Mateer Ready for 'Dream Come True' in CFP Matchup
(by Brady Trantham) NORMAN — John Mateer has had time to reflect on the regular season in these last two weeks. As his No. 8-ranked Sooners prepare to take on the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide on Friday night, he knows the standard at the University of Oklahoma — particularly with its quarterbacks — demands nothing less than excellence...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Why Oklahoma's Offense has Brent Venables 'Fired Up' Ahead of the CFP
(by Ryan Chapman) Brent Venables was fired up about how Oklahoma’s offense closed down practice on Monday. “The offense finished the day with a two-minute (drill),” he said on his weekly Coaches Show on Monday night. “They had 38 seconds, one timeout, they needed a field goal to go win. And man, they went.” Closing Monday’s practice...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
Everything Ben Arbuckle said ahead of Oklahoma's College Football Playoff matchup with Alabama
(by Collin Kennedy) The Oklahoma Sooners are back in the College Football Playoff. A six-year hiatus ends as OU prepares to enter the sport's new-look postseason tournament. No. 8 Oklahoma will host No. 9 Alabama in Norman for the first ever playoff game from Owen Field. Kickoff between the Sooners and Crimson Tide is set for 7 p.m...read more from Sooners Illustrated
Observations From Oklahoma's Open Practice Session Ahead of the CFP
(by Ryan Chapman) NORMAN — Ahead of Friday’s College Football Playoff contest against Alabama, Oklahoma opened up a 15-minute portion of Monday’s practice to local media members. Here are some observations from the open portion of practice, which happened toward the beginning of Monday’s practice...read more from Oklahoma Sooners on SI
