Picks for 12/19/25
College Football
8:00 PM EST
Rotation #296
Oklahoma -1.5 over Alabama (loss)
Oklahoma won in Tuscaloosa a month ago in a game Alabama dominated on paper, but the Sooners were +3 in the turnover battle. I do expect the Sooners to do much better on third down tonight than their 3-for-13 performance against the Tide. It’s well known that Alabama looked awful in the SEC Title Game against Georgia, but in their defense, their running back room was far from healthy. The key to this game lies in the trenches on defense. The Oklahoma front seven, particularly the defensive line, is elite and has played together for multiple seasons. Alabama, on the other hand, is missing key starters like LT Overton and Jah-Marien Latham. Alabama QB Ty Simpson might be the better pure passer in this matchup, but his kryptonite is his lack of mobility. On the other hand, Washington State transfer John Mateer is mobile, which gives the offense an advantage on 3rd downs and keeps defenses honest as they have to account for the quarterback. The Crimson Tide were demoralized in their last matchup in the SEC Title game, so any type of early game struggles might send them into another tailspin. The Sooners are a little more unpredictable on offense with the quarterback run, which is why I give them the edge at home. Alabama’s running game struggles could work themselves out immediately, but chances are they won’t in a game of this magnitude. The more times Ty Simpson drops back to pass, the more chances Oklahoma has to force turnovers, especially with 18 mph winds swirling all game in Norman. I don’t think Alabama is healthy or confident enough right now for everything to click and go on multiple long drives. Sooners kicker Tate Sandell has been near perfect this year, and his big leg could be the difference in this game. Take Oklahoma.
Rotation #296
Oklahoma -1.5 over Alabama (loss)
Oklahoma won in Tuscaloosa a month ago in a game Alabama dominated on paper, but the Sooners were +3 in the turnover battle. I do expect the Sooners to do much better on third down tonight than their 3-for-13 performance against the Tide. It’s well known that Alabama looked awful in the SEC Title Game against Georgia, but in their defense, their running back room was far from healthy. The key to this game lies in the trenches on defense. The Oklahoma front seven, particularly the defensive line, is elite and has played together for multiple seasons. Alabama, on the other hand, is missing key starters like LT Overton and Jah-Marien Latham. Alabama QB Ty Simpson might be the better pure passer in this matchup, but his kryptonite is his lack of mobility. On the other hand, Washington State transfer John Mateer is mobile, which gives the offense an advantage on 3rd downs and keeps defenses honest as they have to account for the quarterback. The Crimson Tide were demoralized in their last matchup in the SEC Title game, so any type of early game struggles might send them into another tailspin. The Sooners are a little more unpredictable on offense with the quarterback run, which is why I give them the edge at home. Alabama’s running game struggles could work themselves out immediately, but chances are they won’t in a game of this magnitude. The more times Ty Simpson drops back to pass, the more chances Oklahoma has to force turnovers, especially with 18 mph winds swirling all game in Norman. I don’t think Alabama is healthy or confident enough right now for everything to click and go on multiple long drives. Sooners kicker Tate Sandell has been near perfect this year, and his big leg could be the difference in this game. Take Oklahoma.