Oklahoma’s defense has done everything this season, truly carrying the team when it counts. They rank top 9 nationally in scoring defense, run defense, and third-down stops, showing a balanced and fierce unit. That’s why Kalen Deboer’s squad needs to be really careful with its offense as the Sooners enter the Bryant-Denny Stadium for the Week 12 matchup. The Crimson Tide has leaned on a physical, grind-it-out ground attack all season. But the results? Mixed.

The offensive line’s been shaky at times. The rushing attack has averaged just 3.6 yards per carry overall, with only one 100-yard rusher so far. Former Alabama QB Greg McElroy notes that Brent Venables might key in on disrupting the line’s timing and pressuring QB Ty Simpson. “You know that Brent Venables wants to stop the run. The question is, what resources defensively does he have to utilize to stop the run?” McElroy said on his show. “If Alabama is unable to run the ball against the defensive line, then do you have to drop a safety down? Do you have to keep those guys at the second level or the third level? Do you have to keep their eyes in the backfield to respect the commitment that Alabama might show to running the football?”

McElroy went on to say, “So if he doesn’t need to keep his safeties involved, he can keep them high, which would be beneficial in stopping what is an outstanding passing attack. But if Alabama can start to run the football and be patient and find some success on the ground, that would alter their defensive structure. And all of a sudden, those guys might be forced to play not just the pass, but also the run. So that might be kind of the enabler for the biggest battle of the game.” Venables builds defenses that shut down the run first. He wants to make an opponent one-dimensional.

So if Alabama’s offensive line and running backs can’t move the ball on the ground, Venables can keep his safeties deep to defend against Alabama’s potent passing game. But if Bama can run the ball effectively, Venables will have to bring a safety closer to the line of scrimmage. This adjustment happens because when safeties and linebackers step up to stop the run, they open Bama’s passing lanes behind them. On top of that, the run game becomes the trigger point for everything else. But if Alabama runs well, Oklahoma’s defense loses its balance between covering the run and pass.

Venables describes his secondary as “hungry, driven, humble.” They’ve shut down teams like limiting Temple to just 105 yards total offense in a 42-3 blowout. Opponents have called them “savages.” The Sooners took charge through suffocating coverage and relentless physicality, forcing opponents into 15 three-and-outs out of 35 drives. Linebacker Sammy Omosigho and DB Kendel Dolby say the team feeds off pushing each other in practice and keeping that backyard football vibe. Against Auburn, this unit recorded nine sacks in a 24-17 victory. On the flip side, Alabama leans on its passing game.

QB Ty Simpson runs the show, sitting second in the SEC with 2,461 yards and tied for first with 21 touchdowns. Receivers Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard are his go-to weapons. The run game, though, has been shaky. Bama put up just 56 rushing yards against LSU. They rank 13th in the SEC in rushing yards per game. The bright spot? They take care of the ball, rocking a +1.2 turnover margin. That is the fourth best in the country.

Alabama needs balance in its offense

Kalen DeBoer is riding the high of some excellent playoff news. But it’s not all smiles and guaranteed tickets just yet. If Alabama can secure a win against the Sooners, they will be almost locked into the SEC Championship Game, even if they slip up against Auburn later. That kind of playoff security is golden for DeBoer in just his second year running the show in Tuscaloosa. But the Sooners are no walk in the park, as already discussed.

Against LSU, the offense bogged down to a sluggish 20-9 win with a dismal running game. This is a massive red flag since Alabama’s strength under DeBoer is supposed to be a balanced attack. Injuries have hit hard, with star RB Jamarion Miller sidelined early and not quite back to full speed. He managed just 13 yards on eight carries in that LSU game, which left QB Ty Simpson stuck in third-and-long situations. Analysts like David Pollack don’t hold back in stating the obvious.

“Alabama can’t run the football, and it’s got to get fixed,” he said. “They’re too good at wide receiver. They’re too good at quarterback. Like they’ve got, and they’re too good up front athletically and big and strong guys not to be able to move people.” They currently rank 114th nationally in rushing yards, an uncharacteristic spot for a program known for trench dominance. It’s a glaring imbalance that Brent Venables and his Oklahoma defense will surely exploit.