"An extremely tough defense": Alabama HC Kalen DeBoer describes Oklahoma's strength ahead of crucial Week 13 clash

Kalen DeBoer will lead his No. 7 Alabama (8-2, 4-2) team to Norman on Saturday for a crucial matchup against Oklahoma (5-5, 1-5). The Crimson Tide are looking to confirm their place in the College Football Playoff and secure a spot in the Southeastern Conference title game.

Ahead of the Week 13 encounter, Kalen DeBoer sounded wary of the Sooners' defense. Despite the struggles of Brent Venable’s team in its first season in the SEC, the resilience of the defense has been evident.

"It’s going to take a great week of preparation,” DeBoer said in his weekly media availability on Monday. “A physical football team all around.

“Their defense is, I think, an extremely tough defense, always just what they do with their scheme and then their personnel and the way they fly around. We’ll have to get ready for their offense with a couple of quarterbacks, potentially, just some skilled players.”

While the Crimson Tide enters the contest as a 13-point favorite, it's bound to face a difficult game at the Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, as the Sooners are looking to secure bowl eligibility. However, with one win in conference play, defeating the in-form Alabama would be a tough task.

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Kalen DeBoer reinstates Alabama’s focus on the next play

Alabama has had its challenges this season. The Crimson Tide fell to Vanderbilt and Tennessee in the space of three weeks, casting doubts on their season. However, Kalen DeBoer has turned things around by making his team focus on the moment.

Ahead of the Week 13 encounter, the coach is reinstating his team's commitment to the principles that have gotten it back on track. That's after taking a closer look at the performances of the Sooners this season.

“You look at the games they’ve played, a lot of close games going into the second half and even the fourth quarter,” DeBoer said. “The Missouri game obviously was a crazy ending and some plays made both ways just in the final two minutes.

“Each and every game takes on its own life and for us, we’re focused on the next play and for us, the next game and everything that goes into being our best and that’s what our recipe for success has been here over the last month.”

A loss in Norman will ruin Alabama's playoff chances. After sealing a crucial win against LSU in Baton in Week 11, it's expected that the going will be good for Kalen DeBoer's team in the remainder of the season, but stranger things have happened in college football.