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Oklahoma will give Alabama offense toughest test yet. What to know about the Sooners

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Oklahoma will give Alabama offense toughest test yet. What to know about the Sooners


There have been few defenses in the country better than Oklahoma.

The Sooners have allowed only 14.1 points per game this season, which leads the SEC and ranks seventh in the nation. Oklahoma also ranks first in the SEC in fewest yards allowed per game at 264.22. That also ranks seventh nationally.

A season ago, the Sooners held Alabama to three points on the road. Now, with a much different offense and a new offensive coordinator and quarterback, the No. 4 Crimson Tide (8-1, 6-0 SEC) will aim to have much more offensive success against No. 11 Oklahoma on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CT, ABC) at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Here’s what you need to know about the Sooners (7-2, 3-2 SEC).

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Oklahoma’s resume so far

The Sooners started the season on a five-game winning streak but have lost two of their last four games.

The first loss of the season occurred against then-unranked Texas, now ranked No. 10. The second loss was two weeks later against No. 6 Ole Miss, who was then ranked eighth.

Oklahoma’s best win this season has been against No. 18 Michigan. The Sooners also went on the road before an open week and beat No. 21 Tennessee.

According to ESPN, the Sooners have the No. 12 strength of record. Their strength of schedule ranks 16th.

The Oklahoma offense

The Sooners have an offense that sits in the bottom half of the conference in points per game, ranked 11th scoring 28.89 points per game.

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Only Kentucky, Auburn, LSU, Florida and South Carolina have worse offenses in the SEC.

The Sooners also rank 11th in rushing offense and defense in the conference in yards per game.

Washington State transfer quarterback John Mateer has been the primary quarterback running the offense, but he hasn’t been near as effective since returning from a hand injury.

Before the hand injury, Mateer threw for six touchdowns and rushed for five more over the first four games of the season.

In the four games since, Mateer has thrown for two touchdowns and rushed for one. Those four games since the hand injury have all been against SEC competition whereas the first four included two overmatched, unranked teams.

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Isaiah Sategna III has been his top target. The receiver has caught 40 passes for 692 yards and five touchdowns. He ranks fifth in the conference with 76.89 yards per game. Deion Burks has also been a top weapon, catching 42 passes for 435 yards and two scores.

Tory Blaylock has been the top rusher, taking 94 carries for 401 yards and four scores.

The Sooner defense

Oklahoma doesn’t give up many points or yards, but the Sooners also don’t get many takeaways.

They rank 117th in the country in takeaways per game at 0.8. For comparison, Alabama ranks 18th, gaining 1.8 takeaways per game.

Defensive lineman Taylor Wein is one of the SEC’s top players at securing tackles for loss. He averages 1.22 per game. Defensive lineman R Mason Thomas is another, averaging 1.06 per game. They rank tied for fourth and seventh in the conference, respectively.

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Thomas is also one of the top pass rushers in the conference. He has tallied 6.5 sacks, which ranks tied for fifth.

As a whole, Oklahoma has been effective at getting to the quarterback. The Sooners have tallied 33 sacks, which ranks fourth in the country behind only UConn (35), Texas A&M (34) and Texas (34).

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma Contemporary to host free ‘Polar Party’ event with winter activities

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Oklahoma Contemporary to host free ‘Polar Party’ event with winter activities


OKLAHOMA CITY –

Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center is inviting families, children and community members to participate in its monthly Second Saturday program.

Organizers say Second Saturday is a free afternoon of hands-on art-making and gallery exploration held on the second Saturday of each month.

Families can enjoy guided activities, family-friendly gallery chats and take-home art experiences designed for all ages. Materials are provided at no cost, and no advance registration is required.

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Periodically, the center expands the event into Second Saturday XL, which is a larger celebration featuring multiple art stations, performances and seasonal programming across the Oklahoma Contemporary campus.

The upcoming Second Saturday XL: Polar Party is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13, from 1 p.m. 5 p.m.

Guests can take part in winter-themed projects, including wreath making, cookie decorating and snow-globe crafting, along with music, treats and additional family activities throughout the center.

See the full lineup of activities here.

All programming is free and open to the public.

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Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair resigns due to personal reasons

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Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair resigns due to personal reasons


The Oklahoma Democratic Party has announced a new Chair following Representative John Waldron’s resignation due to personal reasons.

Waldron serves as the Representative for Oklahoma House District 77 and announced his resignation on Monday.

“It is with sincere consideration that I announce my resignation as Chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party for personal reasons,” Waldron said. “With the legislative session coming up and pressing family commitments, I am handing over the reins to my capable partners on the executive committee. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished in revitalizing our party statewide over the past six months and I’m confident that work will continue under Erin Brewer’s leadership. Put simply, I’ve been pushing myself too hard, working four jobs very intensively this year. I lost my mother in October and my son is a junior in high school. I need to focus on my family and my own health. Thanks for understanding.”

The Oklahoma Democratic Party Vice Chair Erin Brewer has assumed the role of Chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party. According to the Oklahoma Democrats, Brewer is hitting the ground running and continuing to bring her strong track record of relentless organizing, policy expertise, and ability to mobilize resources and voters to the table.

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Brewer said she is ready to continue Waldron’s work and keep up the momentum.

“Over the last six months, Oklahoma Democrats have knocked thousands of doors, cheered as 100 candidates have stepped up to run for office, rebuilt our county party operations, earned the trust of donors large and small, and elevated our visibility and brand statewide,” Chair Erin Brewer said. “We are ready to maintain and expand this momentum into 2026. I am beyond grateful to the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and supporters.”

The Oklahoma Democratic Party said it is confident in the ongoing partnership of its elected officials, staff, local Democratic organizations, and State Central Committee, stating:

“We will continue to make progress toward our goal of flipping seats in 2026. It is as important as ever that we remain singularly focused on our mission to engage, connect, and organize in order to elect more Democrats across Oklahoma.”

The party said it is thankful for Waldron and what he did for the party during his time as chair:

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“We are beyond grateful for his service to our state and party, particularly his commitment to building a strong slate of candidates for 2026.

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Idaho Falls pilot killed in Oklahoma helicopter crash – East Idaho News

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Idaho Falls pilot killed in Oklahoma helicopter crash – East Idaho News


MAYES COUNTY, Oklahoma — An Idaho Falls man died in a helicopter crash Friday in Oklahoma.

Emanuele Tsikoudakis, 56, was piloting the helicopter when it crashed nose-first into the ground near County Road East 550 and County Road 4355 in Mayes County, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

According to an OHP report, two people were working on pulling lines around 9 a.m. with the helicopter overhead guiding them so they would not catch a wire. The people told investigators the helicopter was hovering overhead when it suddenly flipped over backwards and dove straight to the ground, Fox 23 News reports.

Tsikoudakis was the only person in the helicopter. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

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The FAA and NTSB is investigating the crash.

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