MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) -- Oklahoma quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray has no doubt he will play Saturday, despite being slowed by an illness in recent days.
No. 4 Oklahoma faces No. 1 Alabama in the Orange Bowl, a semifinal game in the College Football Playoff. No. 2 Clemson and No. 3 Notre Dame meet earlier Saturday in the Cotton Bowl.
Murray appeared at Orange Bowl media day Thursday, still coughing and sniffling a bit. He has not missed any practice time, but was absent from his scheduled media availability on Wednesday because the illness popped up.
Murray says he's feeling fine, and that he's surprised it took him so long to get sick after his hectic December schedule of travel and other responsibilities. He says he started feeling under the weather earlier this week, and says he's doing all he can to be 100 percent by kickoff of the game against Alabama on Saturday night.
On the Alabama side, head coach Nick Saban says three players suspended this week will not play the rest of this season, adding that their status beyond that is uncertain.
Starting left guard Deonte Brown, tight end Kedrick James and offensive lineman Elliot Baker didn't make the trip to Miami for Saturday's game.
Saban said the players committed NCAA violations by making poor decisions. He did not elaborate.
