Deion Burks, Jovantae Barnes injury: Oklahoma updates status of key offensive players on Wednesday report vs Alabama

Alabama‘s path to the College Football Playoff makes a stop in Norman, Oklahoma for a first-ever Southeastern Conference matchup between the Crimson Tide and Sooners.

The Crimson Tide can’t afford another loss — but Oklahoma is still looking to secure its sixth win of the season and would love to become bowl eligbile by defeating a hot Alabama team inside Memorial Stadium.

This late in the season, however, the injury bug spares no team. Both programs have players banged up, and some initial insight was provided on who may be in, and who’s already out for the Week 13 SEC matchup.

Ahead of Saturday’s kickoff, the SEC’s Wednesday availability reports have released:

Alabama Crimson Tide:

DB Keon Sabb – Out
WR Cole Adams – Out
LB Quandarrius Robinson – Out

Oklahoma Sooners:

WR Jayden Gibson – Out
WR Nic Anderson – Out
WR Andrel Anthony – Out
DB Gentry Williams – Out
DB Kendel Dolby – Out
OL Geireon Hatchett – Out
OL Jacob Sexton – Out
OL Jake Taylor – Out
WR Deion Burks – Doubtful
RB Jovantae Barnes – Questionable
OL Joshua Bates – Questionable

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said earlier this week that Saturday is an opportunity to prove to the College Football Playoff selection committee that the Crimson Tide has what it takes. However, ranked No. 7 they appear to have already done that. If they’re not in ‘win-and-you’re-in’ territory, they’re pretty close.

“It’s going to take a great week of preparation,” DeBoer told reporters. “A physical football team all around. Their defense is, I think, an extremely tough defense in all ways. Just what they do with their scheme and then with their personnel, the way they fly around.”

Under head coach Brent Venables, that should be no surprise. The Sooners ranked 24th nationally in total defense — greater than Alabama’s which is ranked 32nd.

However, it’s OU’s offense that has been the greatest cause of concern in 2024. The Sooners have scored 30 or more points three times in 10 games this season — and only once in the past seven games dating back to the start of SEC play on Sept. 21.

That’s the most likely cause for the Crimson Tide being 13.5-point favorite midway through game week. Alabama has won its last three games since losing to Tennessee on Oct. 19 and the odds appear to be in the Crimson Tide’s favor on the road.

Kickoff is set for Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET and will air live on ABC.