When No. 9 Alabama and No.
8 Oklahoma square off on Friday in the opening round of the 2025 College Football Playoff, it won’t just be a high-stakes postseason clash-it’ll be a rematch packed with recent history and unfinished business. Just a few weeks ago, Oklahoma edged Alabama 23-21 in a game that came down to a handful of critical moments.
Now, with a semifinal berth on the line, Alabama has a real shot at flipping the script. But to do that, they’ll need to clean up some costly mistakes and execute in a few key areas.
Let’s break down four things Alabama needs to get right if they want to leave Norman with a win and keep their title hopes alive.
1. Protect the Quarterback and the Football
This one’s non-negotiable. Alabama’s three turnovers in the first meeting weren’t just momentum killers-they were point generators for Oklahoma.
The Sooners put 10 points on the board off those giveaways, including a pick-six that proved to be a game-changer. Quarterback Ty Simpson was responsible for all three turnovers and took four sacks, one of which was a strip sack recovered by the Sooners.
That’s the kind of swing that can decide a playoff game.
Simpson has struggled with ball security down the stretch, throwing four of his five interceptions over Alabama’s last five games. And when you combine that with the fact that Oklahoma leads the nation in total sacks (41), it’s clear that pass protection and decision-making will be under the microscope.
Simpson’s already been sacked 25 times this season-the most of any quarterback in the playoff field. The Tide’s offensive line will need to step up in a big way to keep him upright, and Simpson himself has to be sharper with his reads and quicker with his release. If Alabama can limit sacks and avoid turnovers, they’ll take away Oklahoma’s biggest edge from the last meeting.
2. Let Ty Simpson Air It Out-Smartly
Despite the turnovers, Simpson actually moved the ball well against Oklahoma in their first matchup. And that wasn’t a fluke. The Sooners' defense has been elite across the board-No. 1 in the SEC in total defense and points allowed, and No. 2 against the run-but they’ve been vulnerable through the air.
Quarterbacks like Simpson, Trinidad Chambliss, and Joey Aguilar have all thrown for over 300 yards against them this season. That’s the soft spot, and Alabama would be wise to test it again.
The key will be balance: aggressive but not reckless. Simpson has shown he can make plays downfield, but he’ll need to be selective and avoid forcing throws into tight windows. If he can take what the defense gives him and avoid the big mistakes, Alabama should be able to move the chains and sustain drives.
3. Clean Up Special Teams
In a game that was decided by two points, special teams miscues loomed large. Alabama allowed a 42-yard punt return that set up a short-field field goal for Oklahoma, and later missed a field goal of their own-six points left on the table in a game they lost by two.
That can’t happen again.
Field position is going to matter, especially against a Sooners offense that’s struggled to consistently move the ball. Alabama has to force Oklahoma to earn every yard, and that means sharp coverage, clean punts, and reliable kicking.
No short fields. No freebies.
4. Keep Oklahoma’s Offense One-Dimensional
The Sooners have had a tough time generating consistent offense, particularly since quarterback John Mateer’s hand injury earlier in the season. He’s thrown for fewer than 200 yards in four of his last six starts, and Alabama’s pass defense-ranked No. 1 in the SEC-should be well-equipped to keep him contained again.
In their last meeting, Alabama held Oklahoma to just 74 rushing yards. That kind of defensive performance will need to be replicated. If the Crimson Tide can shut down the run, they’ll put even more pressure on Mateer to beat them through the air-something he hasn’t done consistently this season.
The formula is simple: take away the run, force third-and-longs, and let that SEC-best secondary go to work.
Bottom Line: Alabama didn’t play their best game last time out, and they still only lost by two. The margin for error in the CFP is razor-thin, but the path to victory is clear. Protect the ball, protect the quarterback, win the field position battle, and make Oklahoma’s offense work for every yard.
If the Crimson Tide can tighten up in those areas, they’ve got every chance to punch their ticket to the next round.