NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Brent Venables' version of the Oklahoma Sooners is very different than the ones that previously reached the College Football Playoff.

Oklahoma reached the playoff four times in the 2010s — once under Bob Stoops and three times under Lincoln Riley. Those squads were known for their high-scoring offenses and relatively leaky defenses, with the best example being a 54-48 loss to Georgia in a national semifinal after the 2017 season.

Times have changed. The eighth-ranked Sooners (10-2) feature a rugged, aggressive defense that leads the nation in tackles for loss (9.6 per game) and is tied for the nation’s lead in sacks (3.42) heading into next Friday’s first-round home game against No. 11 Alabama (10-3).

Venables, who led Oklahoma and Clemson to national titles as a de

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