Nick Saban details issue Oklahoma’s defensive line presents Alabama

Oct 11, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman R Mason Thomas (32) and linebacker Kip Lewis (10) celebrate during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Nick Saban feels the Oklahoma defensive line will challenge the Crimson Tide in the trenches on Saturday.

The Sooners have one of the best defensive front sevens in college football. They are great at stopping the run and getting after opposing quarterbacks with a great defensive line. Saban feels this group will keep Alabama’s offensive line on its heels.

“But the one issue they’re going to have tonight is Oklahoma’s very athletic,” Saban said on ESPN’s College Gameday. “They’re going to move a lot. So, the offensive lineman doesn’t know if this guy’s going to step and strike and butt him in the throat. He doesn’t know if he’s going to use his quickness to get outside or slam inside. So this creates Havoc for the offensive line and creates a lot of negative plays for the Oklahoma defense.”

On the flip side, Saban believes if the Tide is able to protect Ty Simpson, the Alabama offense will be able to have success against teh Sooners.

“If they can handle this, they can make plays down the field because when you’re doing all these things, you notice there’s five guys involved most of the time,” Saban said. “They’re going to be able to make plays down the field, which Alabama has been very good at making explosive plays, especially on regular-down situations, first and 10, second and 5, second and 3.”

Alabama and Oklahoma will go after one another at 2:30 p.m. CST Saturday on Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.