Oklahoma Sooners news: First injury update before Bama, Venables on CFP and more

First injury update before Alabama

The Oklahoma Sooners could have to take on Alabama shorthanded on Saturday, especially on defense.

The initial SEC Availability Report on Wednesday had two defensive line starters listed as questionable for OU in defensive end R Mason Thomas and defensive tackle Jayden Jackson. Thomas' name was expected to be on there after injuring his quad against Tennessee, but Jackson was a surprise addition.

There was good news, though, with starting MIKE linebacker Kobie McKinzie, wide receiver Keontez Lewis and offensive tackle Derek Simmons listed as probable and expected to play.

Brent Venables on CFP position

Much was been argued about the Sooners' position in the race to make the College Football Playoff, but you won't hear any complaints from OU head coach Brent Venables.

Venables during Wednesday's SEC coaches teleconference made it clear he won't make any excuses for his program currently being on the outside looking in of the 12-team playoff as the No. 11 squad in the second CFP rankings.

"My mindset is we had a chance to win games, and we didn't," Venables said. "So we're in the position that we are, and we had complete and total control whether or not we won those games. So, you win, you take care of business, everything works out in the end. I firmly believe that."

Eli Bowen calls out Crimson Tide

Alabama scheduled Oklahoma for its homecoming opponent on Saturday, and after the Sooners upset the Crimson Tide 24-3 a year ago in Norman, OU cornerback Eli Bowen doesn't think that scheduling was just a coincidence with Alabama seeking revenge.

"Yeah, I mean, they scheduled us as their homecoming for a reason," Bowen said this week. "So we gotta come ready to play. We gotta give them our best shot. ...

"Scheduling us as the homecoming, like, you don't just randomly schedule it. It's a little bit more motivation."