Last season, Oklahoma played spoiler by knocking off Alabama in late November to essentially eliminate the Crimson Tide from College Football Playoff contention.
This season, the Sooners will try not to have their CFP destiny ruined when they host LSU on Saturday in Norman, Okla. The No. 8 Sooners (9-2, 5-2 Southeastern Conference) are almost certainly in the field — provided they earn a win over LSU (7-4, 3-4).
Oklahoma has so far navigated a tough November schedule, knocking off then-No. 14 Tennessee and No. 4 Alabama on the road before beating No. 23 Missouri last week.
“We caught our stride very, very well,” Sooners linebacker Kip Lewis said. “Keep coming and keep doing what we’re doing. Don’t change the process now.”
The Tigers hope to end their regular season with a third straight win after a midseason lull led to Brian Kelly’s firing.
LSU dropped its first game under interim coach Frank Wilson before beating Arkansas and Western Kentucky in the last two weeks.
“We can go out here and raise a white flag and say, ‘You know, no one expected (us to win). We’re not going to the playoffs,'” Wilson said. “What’s your legacy?… And 8-4 is a lot better than 7-5. For us, it’s about self-reflection.”
Though LSU has struggled, its defense remains one of the nation’s best.
The Tigers come into the game 16th nationally in scoring defense (18.5 ppg), 23rd in total defense, 30th in passing defense and 31st in rushing defense.
“They try to confuse you, and they’ll man you up,” said Sooners quarterback John Mateer. “So we’ve got to get after it.”
After Mateer was hurt in the SEC opener, Oklahoma’s offense has struggled through much of conference play. The Sooners have been outgained in each of their last four games.
But Oklahoma’s defense has been excellent, forcing eight turnovers during its three-game winning streak while the offense has avoided turnovers the last two games.
“They’ve done a good job of tackling in space and getting guys to the ground,” Wilson said. ” … We just have to be able to create matchups where we win our one-on-ones.”
The Tigers again will be without quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who has missed the last two games with an abdominal injury after being replaced by Michael Van Buren Jr. in the Nov. 8 loss to Alabama. He was ruled out in Wednesday’s initial availability report.
Van Buren has completed 63% of his passes for 423 yards, two touchdowns and one interception over the last two games.
“He’s a guy that throws with great anticipation before the receiver’s open,” said Sooners coach Brent Venables. “He throws them open. He’s got great talent as far as his arm talent and plays with a lot of confidence.”
The Tigers also likely remain without left tackle Tyree Adams, who Wilson said had a “slim” chance to play against Oklahoma. He’s listed as questionable.
Running back Caden Durham (team-high 463 yards) is probable after sustaining a neck injury in last week’s win.
The Sooners will be without backup “cheetah” Reggie Powers III in the first half after Powers was ejected for targeting in the second half of last week’s win over Missouri.
Oklahoma also has been without edge rusher R Mason Thomas for the last two games after Thomas was hurt early in the win over Tennessee. He’s listed as doubtful on the availability report.
The game is the first for LSU in Norman. The Tigers won last year’s game, 37-17, in Baton Rouge, La.
