Key questions heading into No. 4 Alabama’s game vs. No. 11 Oklahoma

Alabama will complete the final leg of its redemption tour this weekend. After already avenging last year’s losses against Vanderbilt and Tennessee earlier this season, the No. 4 Crimson Tide will look to pull off a payback sweep as it hosts No. 11 Oklahoma on Saturday. 

Last season, Alabama had its playoff hopes dashed with a 24-3 upset loss in Norman, Oklahoma. While revenge isn’t the only motivating factor heading into the weekend, Kalen DeBoer doesn’t want his players to forget what it felt like to walk off the field against the Sooners last year. 

“The ones that did [experience the loss] certainly better remember and understand that,” DeBoer said, “more importantly, that you’re facing a really good program that obviously we went to their place and got beat up pretty good last year, and that’s who’s coming to town this week.

“And so, Coach Venable’s done an amazing job instilling a culture there, and we know that team is coming here hungry. They’re in the hunt for a lot of different things as far as reaching their goals.”

A win Saturday would all but lock up a spot in the College Football Playoff for Alabama (8-1, 6-0). The Tide is currently a 5.5-point favorite over Oklahoma (7-2, 3-2), according to ESPN BET.  

Here are five questions to watch for heading into Saturday’s game.