The Oklahoma Sooners' season came to a close in the opening round of the College Football Playoff, falling 34-24 to Alabama in a game that mixed flashes of promise with the kind of miscues that have haunted them all year. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a team that clawed its way into the national spotlight after starting the season with more questions than answers.
Let’s dive into some key takeaways from a game - and a season - that was anything but ordinary.
A Wild Ride Ends with Familiar Frustrations
The arc of Oklahoma’s season is one of the more compelling storylines in college football this year. From early talk of hot seats and survival mode to punching their ticket to the CFP, the Sooners managed a dramatic turnaround.
But the ending? It felt like a rerun of the same issues that popped up all season long.
Costly mistakes, missed opportunities, and untimely errors proved too much to overcome against a powerhouse like Alabama.
The Self-Inflicted Wounds
Let’s be clear: Alabama didn’t need much help, but Oklahoma gave them some anyway. A blocked punt, a pick-six, and a dropped wide-open touchdown pass - those are the kinds of plays that swing games, especially in the playoff spotlight. Add in the fact that the Sooners didn’t force a single turnover on the other side of the ball, and the math starts to look grim.
Special Teams Collapse at the Worst Time
For most of the season, Oklahoma’s special teams had been a strength - a hidden weapon that helped tilt field position and momentum. But Saturday was a different story.
Grayson Miller, who had been a steady presence all year, had a rough outing with a few uncharacteristic mistakes. Kicker Tate Sandell missed some crucial late-game attempts, and a few penalties on returns added to the confusion.
In a game where every detail matters, OU’s third phase faltered when it mattered most.
The John Mateer Conundrum
There’s going to be plenty of conversation about John Mateer’s performance - and rightfully so. His pick-six was a backbreaker, no doubt.
But laying the loss solely at his feet doesn’t tell the full story. Mateer had stretches where he managed the offense efficiently and showed poise, even with Alabama’s defense bearing down.
His throwing hand looked healthier, and that showed in some of his downfield throws.
Mateer’s season as a whole is a tough one to pin down. He’s part of the reason Oklahoma reached this stage in the first place, but he’s also had moments - like Saturday’s turnover - that have been costly. The evaluation of his year won’t be easy, and how the coaching staff views his body of work heading into next season could shape the future of the program.
The One That Got Away
Sometimes one play sticks with you. And if Xavier Robinson hauls in a wide-open pass downfield, we might be talking about a different game.
It's the kind of moment that playoff games often hinge on. Unfortunately, Robinson, who had been battling injury issues, wasn’t at full strength and couldn’t finish the season the way he started it.
Tory Blaylock showed some early burst, but the run game as a whole never found its rhythm. With the backs limited and the ground game stalling, Oklahoma leaned more heavily on quarterback-designed runs - a strategy that had mixed results against Alabama’s athletic front.
Defense Held Its Own - But Needed a Spark
Oklahoma’s defense deserves credit. They kept the game within reach and didn’t let Alabama run wild.
But in a game where your offense gives up a touchdown on a pick-six and your special teams gets a punt blocked, you need a defensive play to swing momentum back your way. That moment never came.
No forced turnovers, no short fields - and against a team like Alabama, that’s a tough way to win.
Sooner Nation Showed Up
If there was a silver lining, it was the atmosphere. Oklahoma fans brought it - loud, passionate, and fully engaged from kickoff to the final whistle.
For the program’s first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff, the fanbase did its part and then some. Whether at home or on the road, Sooner Nation has been a force all year, and Saturday was no exception.
In the end, Oklahoma’s season ends with a mix of pride and frustration. They exceeded expectations by making the playoff, but the loss to Alabama - and the way it unfolded - leaves a lingering “what if” in the air.
Now the focus shifts to what’s next: roster decisions, coaching evaluations, and the next step in the program’s evolution. But for now, the Sooners walk away knowing they belonged in the playoff conversation - and with the right adjustments, they could be back again soon.