As Alabama gears up for its return to Norman in the first round of the College Football Playoff, the storyline isn't just about redemption - it's about focus. The Crimson Tide, ranked No. 9, are staring down a third straight loss to Oklahoma, and this time, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Friday’s matchup is a rematch with layers. Alabama’s last trip to Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium ended in a 24-3 dismantling at the hands of the Sooners.
Add to that a 23-21 loss earlier this season in Tuscaloosa, and it’s clear Oklahoma has had Alabama’s number lately. But instead of leaning into what went wrong on the field, Bama wide receiver Germie Bernard is pointing to... the lights.
Yes, the lights.
In a press conference leading up to the rematch, Bernard cited field conditions and lighting as factors that threw him off during last season’s blowout loss in Norman.
“This time around, we know it’s gonna be cold,” Bernard said. “We know their lights, it kind of got me last time that we played.
The lights were kind of, I don’t know, in a weird position, I guess you could say. So that, and just the field condition.
I think our equipment staff has done a great job at putting us in the right cleats and what not so we won’t have that issue. And then, just from there, it’s playing football.
That’s it.”
Now, let’s be clear - Friday’s forecast in Norman calls for a high of 60 degrees, with kickoff temperatures around 53 and no rain in sight. That’s about as mild as mid-December gets in Oklahoma.
So weather won’t be an issue, and the lights? Well, they haven’t moved since last year.
What has changed is the urgency. Alabama is in win-or-go-home territory, and the margin for error is razor thin. If the Tide want to avoid a third straight loss to OU - and a quick exit from the Playoff - they’ll need to look inward, not upward.
Because when you break down those last two matchups, the story wasn’t lighting or cleats. It was Oklahoma’s defense outplaying Alabama’s offense.
The Sooners brought pressure, created turnovers, and disrupted rhythm. Alabama struggled to move the ball, plain and simple.
And that’s the real issue - not the field conditions, not the temperature, and certainly not the stadium lights.
This isn’t to knock Bernard’s comments - players often search for answers after a tough loss, especially in the lead-up to a high-stakes rematch. But the Crimson Tide know what’s really at stake here. This is about execution, discipline, and showing they can match Oklahoma’s physicality and poise when it matters most.
Friday night in Norman isn’t about excuses. It’s about whether Alabama can finally solve the Oklahoma puzzle - or if the Sooners are simply the better team right now. Either way, the lights will be on, the weather will be just fine, and the Tide will have every opportunity to let their play do the talking.