Alabama’s 34-24 win over Oklahoma in the first round of the College Football Playoff wasn’t just a victory-it was a statement. The Crimson Tide came into this game with a target on their back, their inclusion in the CFP field questioned by fans and analysts alike. And for a good chunk of the first half, it looked like those critics might get the last word.
Oklahoma jumped out to a 17-0 lead and had Alabama on the ropes. The Sooners were rolling, the crowd was buzzing, and the Tide looked like a team that might not belong. But then the wheels came off-fast.
Let’s break down how this game flipped, because it wasn’t just about Alabama storming back. It was about Oklahoma unraveling in real time.
Oklahoma’s Collapse Was as Costly as It Was Sudden
Up 17-7 midway through the second quarter, Oklahoma had a chance to reassert control. Quarterback John Mateer found Xavier Robinson wide open downfield for what should’ve been a walk-in touchdown.
But Robinson dropped it. Just flat-out dropped it.
That missed opportunity didn’t just leave points on the board-it opened the door.
Then came the special teams meltdown. Grayson Miller whiffed on a punt attempt-yes, completely missed the ball-giving Alabama the ball at the Sooners’ 30-yard line. The Tide turned that into a field goal, cutting the lead to 17-10.
But the real gut punch came moments later. Mateer, under pressure and clearly rattled, threw a pick-six that wasn’t even in the zip code of one of his receivers. Just like that, a game Oklahoma was controlling was tied at 17 going into halftime.
From there, it was all Alabama.
Alabama Capitalized, But It Was Far From Perfect
Let’s give credit where it’s due. Alabama saw an opening and took it.
The defense tightened up, the offense found its rhythm, and the Tide outscored Oklahoma 24-7 the rest of the way. But this wasn’t a flawless performance by any stretch.
Quarterback Ty Simpson showed flashes-he made a few big-time throws and kept the offense moving-but he also struggled with accuracy, missing open receivers and failing to consistently stretch the field.
The run game? Virtually nonexistent.
Alabama couldn’t generate much on the ground, which is going to be a major concern heading into the quarterfinals against No. 1 Indiana.
And while the defense came alive in the second half, it’s fair to wonder how much of that was Alabama’s execution versus Oklahoma’s implosion.
Oklahoma Couldn’t Get Out of Its Own Way
This game will haunt Oklahoma all offseason. Not just because they lost, but because of how they lost.
Mateer never looked comfortable after the first quarter. The offensive line gave him little time to operate, and when he did have a clean pocket, the decision-making wasn’t there.
Special teams were a disaster. Miller had another brutal punt in the second half that set Alabama up with a short field. And Tate Sandell, the Lou Groza Award winner who had been lights-out all year, missed two field goals-both of which could’ve kept Oklahoma within striking distance.
Add in a pair of personal foul penalties, and you’ve got a team that beat itself as much as it was beaten.
What’s Next for Alabama?
The Tide advance, and for now, the noise around their playoff inclusion gets a little quieter. But Indiana is waiting, and that’s a different kind of test.
The Hoosiers don’t make many mistakes. They’ve got one of the most efficient offenses in the country, led by Fernando Mendoza, and they won’t hand Alabama extra possessions the way Oklahoma did.
If Alabama wants to keep this run going, the offense needs to be sharper, the run game has to show up, and Simpson will have to elevate his play. Because Indiana isn’t going to give them a second chance.
Alabama did what it had to do. It survived and advanced. But the margin for error just got a whole lot smaller.