The Sooners are chasing history in the first round of the CFP. No team has ever defeated Alabama twice in the same season. Oklahoma is also chasing its first playoff win, entering with a 0-4 record all-time in the CFP.

The Sooners topped the Crimson Tide 23-21 back in November, effectively clinching their spo t in the 12-team bracket with the statement win. Alabama will be looking for revenge as it travels to Norman and potentially kick-start an unlikely yet unsurprising national championship run.

The Oklahoma Sooners need a strong performance from the offense to beat Alabama and here are three keys to the game.

In terms of metrics, the Sooners trail only Texas Tech and Ohio State in terms of an overall PPA/play, and trail only Indiana and TTU in a Havoc rate. Essentially, they are one of the very top defenses in all of college football. Oh, and R Mason Thomas, the Sooners’ top pass rusher who missed the first matchup with Alabama, might be back.

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

Follow along here for live updates, highlights, preview and more from the CFP first round matchup between No. 8 Oklahoma and No. 9 Alabama.