Ty Simpson Says He’s “Ready to Go” as Alabama Prepares for Playoff Rematch vs. Oklahoma
Ty Simpson has been through the wringer this season - and he’s still standing.
The Alabama quarterback has taken more than his fair share of hits, including 10 sacks over the Crimson Tide’s final three SEC games. That stretch included a rough outing against Oklahoma in November, when the Sooners came into Tuscaloosa and left with a win, bringing Simpson down four times in the process.
Physically, it’s been a grind. Simpson’s been battling a lingering back issue, and he’s absorbed punishment from some of the SEC’s most aggressive front sevens, including Auburn and Georgia.
But don’t expect him to sit this one out. Not now.
Not with a shot at the Rose Bowl on the line.
“I’m great,” Simpson told reporters this week. “I’m excited.
It’s a great opportunity to play in the College Football Playoff. At this point in the season, I don’t know a team who is healthy at all, so fire me up.
I’m ready to go.”
That’s the kind of response you want from your QB1 heading into a playoff game. Simpson didn’t shy away from the reality of the situation - yes, he’s banged up, but so is everyone else.
He’s not using it as an excuse. He’s embracing the moment.
“Everybody is getting hit,” he said. “Everybody is sore in some type of way.”
And he’s not wrong. This late in the season, no one’s walking around at 100%.
But Simpson hasn’t missed a snap, even with the hits piling up. He’s stayed in the fight, and on Friday night in Norman, he’ll be back under center when Alabama takes on Oklahoma in a high-stakes rematch.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT on ABC and ESPN.
The First Meeting: A Painful Lesson
When these two teams met earlier this season, Alabama’s offense showed flashes - but turnovers told the story. Simpson threw for 326 yards and a touchdown, but his two giveaways proved costly.
One was a pick-six by Oklahoma’s Eli Bowen. The other, a fumble in the third quarter, gave the Sooners prime field position they turned into a go-ahead score.
“They brought some stuff that we hadn’t seen before,” Simpson said after that game. “I got to do a better job of taking care of the ball.
I think we all need to do a better job of taking care of the ball on offense because that’s what killed us. I don’t think they had any turnovers.
We had three.”
That turnover margin - Alabama’s three to Oklahoma’s zero - was the difference. And Simpson knows it. The Crimson Tide offense moved the ball well enough, but mistakes in critical moments swung the game.
What Alabama Needs Now
If Alabama wants to flip the script this time, it starts with ball security. Simpson has generally been steady in that department this year.
He’s completed 64.3% of his passes for 3,268 yards, 26 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. He’s also added two rushing scores, showing he can make plays with his legs when needed.
But against a team like Oklahoma - who’s already proven they can capitalize on mistakes - every possession has to count. Alabama’s offense managed just one touchdown in its last outing against Georgia, their lowest output of the season.
That can’t happen again. Not if they want to punch their ticket to the Rose Bowl, where top-seeded Indiana is waiting.
Simpson’s had over a week to recover and reset. That’s valuable time for a quarterback who’s been under constant duress in recent weeks.
The offensive line will need to step up, too. Oklahoma’s defense brought pressure last time, and they’ll be looking to do it again.
Keeping Simpson upright is priority No. 1.
The Stakes
This isn’t just a playoff game - it’s a chance for redemption. Oklahoma holds a 5-2-1 edge in the all-time series and has beaten Alabama twice since joining the SEC. The Sooners opened as slight favorites, but the line has shifted, and now Alabama enters as a 1-point underdog.
For Simpson, it’s an opportunity to prove he can lead this team on the biggest stage. He’s shown flashes of NFL-caliber talent throughout the season - the arm strength, the poise, the ability to manipulate defenses with his eyes.
But Friday night is about more than talent. It’s about execution, toughness, and protecting the football.
He’s taken the hits. He’s made the mistakes. Now, it’s time to respond.
And if Simpson’s words are any indication, he’s more than ready.
“Fire me up. I’m ready to go.”