The Oklahoma Sooners didn’t win pretty on Saturday, but they won when it mattered most - and that’s what counts in December. With a gritty 17-13 victory over LSU in Week 14, Oklahoma closed out the regular season at 10-2 overall and 6-2 in their first year navigating the gauntlet that is the SEC. The win marks their fourth straight and caps an undefeated November, a month that often separates contenders from pretenders.
Make no mistake - this wasn’t a showcase of offensive fireworks or highlight-reel dominance. It was a slugfest, the kind of game that tests a team’s resilience more than its style points.
But the Sooners found answers in critical moments, and that’s what playoff teams do. With the College Football Playoff selection committee set to reveal its final bracket on December 7, Oklahoma, which entered the weekend ranked No. 8, has done everything it possibly could to state its case.
A win over LSU - even an ugly one - might just be the ticket.
Let’s take a closer look at three Sooners who rose to the occasion when it mattered most:
Peyton Bowen | Defensive Back
If you’re looking for the heartbeat of Oklahoma’s defense in this one, start with Peyton Bowen. The sophomore safety made two game-saving plays that will be etched in Sooner lore if this season ends with a playoff run.
After Oklahoma’s first interception, Bowen answered with one of his own - picking off LSU quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. in the end zone. That play alone likely saved at least three points in a game where every inch of turf was earned.
But Bowen wasn’t done. On LSU’s final snap, facing a 4th-and-2 with the game on the line, it was Bowen again - this time batting down a pass to an open receiver, slamming the door shut on the Tigers’ comeback hopes.
These weren’t just big plays - they were defining moments. Bowen's instincts, timing, and poise under pressure were the difference. Without him, Oklahoma might be sitting at 9-3 and on the outside looking in.
Gracen Halton | Defensive Line
On Senior Day in Norman, Gracen Halton played like a man determined to leave his mark. The veteran defensive lineman was disruptive from the opening whistle, living in LSU’s backfield and setting the tone for a defense that carried the Sooners across the finish line.
Halton’s signature moment came late in the fourth quarter when he blew up a Tigers end-around that nearly resulted in a turnover - a momentum-swinging play that underscored his presence all game long. And on the final play? It was Halton who flushed Van Buren from the pocket, forcing the rushed throw that Bowen knocked down.
This was classic senior leadership - a player stepping up in the biggest moments of his final home game. Halton didn’t just play well; he anchored a defensive effort that held LSU to just 13 points and made every yard a battle.
Tate Sandell | Kicker
In a game dominated by defense and dictated by wind, field position, and execution, every point mattered - and Tate Sandell delivered. The Sooner kicker nailed his lone field goal attempt and was perfect on both extra points, which proved critical in a game where touchdowns were hard to come by.
But Sandell’s biggest contribution might’ve come on a play that won’t show up on the stat sheet. After Oklahoma took the lead, LSU’s Barion Brown broke off a long return that looked destined to flip momentum.
Sandell, the last line of defense, slowed Brown just enough to allow Owen Heinecke and Manny Choice to force him out of bounds near midfield. That hustle play bought the defense time - and they delivered from there.
Sandell continues to prove why he’s one of the best kickers in the country. It’s not just about leg strength or accuracy - it’s about awareness, effort, and doing the little things that help win games. Oklahoma doesn’t get to 10-2 without him.
Final Word
The Sooners didn’t dominate LSU, but they didn’t need to. They needed to survive, to outlast, and to make plays when it counted most - and that’s exactly what they did.
In a season that’s had its share of ups and downs, Oklahoma is peaking at the right time. The defense is making game-changing plays, the special teams are stepping up, and the team is finding ways to win even when the offense isn’t firing on all cylinders.
Now, the Sooners wait. The College Football Playoff committee has a tough job ahead, but Oklahoma just made their decision a little tougher - and a lot more interesting.