It’s safe to say that Alabama Crimson Tide head football coach Kalen DeBoer took the most high-pressure position available when he arrived in Tuscaloosa. Taking over for legendary head coach Nick Saban is a role that many coaches may want to run from.

Alabama’s Ty Simpson and Oklahoma’s John Mateer will bring contrasting styles to their College Football Playoff matchup.

The quarterbacks will be in the spotlight, as always, but a few other NFL Draft prospects could play key roles Friday night.

NORMAN — Oklahoma offensive lineman Jake Maikkula was downgraded to doubtful on Thursday's availability report. Maikkula, who has been limited at practice this week and missed the LSU game due to an infection, was questionable on Wednesday. Maikkula had started 10 consecutive games for the Sooners up to that point.

The Oklahoma Sooners were hit with a harsh reality ahead of the team's rematch against Alabama in the College Football Playoff.