Alabama Outlasts Oklahoma in Wild CFP Opener, Sets Up Rose Bowl Clash With Top-Seeded Indiana
The 2025-26 College Football Playoff didn’t exactly ease us in-it kicked off with a rollercoaster of a game that saw momentum swing like a pendulum before Alabama ultimately pulled away from Oklahoma for a 34-24 win. It was a game that had everything: early dominance, a furious comeback, and a finish that left fans scratching their heads.
Let’s break it down.
A Tale of Two Halves-and Two Teams
Oklahoma came out of the gates firing. The Sooners jumped ahead with 17 unanswered points, looking every bit like a team ready to make a serious run.
Alabama, meanwhile, couldn’t get anything going offensively in the early going. The Crimson Tide looked out of sync, and their offensive rhythm was nowhere to be found.
But as we’ve seen so many times before, you can’t count out the Tide. Alabama responded with 17 straight points of their own to close out the first half, evening things up and resetting the tone heading into the final 30 minutes.
From there, Alabama took control. The second half was all about execution-and that’s where the Crimson Tide separated themselves. They outscored Oklahoma 17-7 down the stretch, capitalizing on key mistakes and showing the kind of poise that’s become a hallmark of their postseason identity.
Oklahoma’s Special Teams Collapse
One of the more surprising storylines? Oklahoma’s special teams-typically a strength all season-completely fell apart in crunch time.
The Sooners missed back-to-back field goals late in the game, both of which could’ve shifted momentum or at least kept the pressure on Alabama. Instead, those miscues helped seal their fate.
It was a stunning twist for a unit that had been among the most reliable in the country. And when the lights were brightest, that reliability disappeared.
What’s Next: Alabama vs. Indiana in the Rose Bowl
With the win, Alabama advances to the CFP quarterfinals, where they’ll face the No. 1 overall seed, Indiana, in the Rose Bowl on January 1. That matchup is set for 3 p.m. ET and will serve as the third quarterfinal game-and the second of the day on New Year’s.
It’s a classic college football showdown in one of the sport’s most iconic venues. Indiana has been the most consistent team all season, but Alabama’s battle-tested roster and ability to adjust on the fly make them a dangerous draw for anyone, even the top seed.
Texas Tech Awaits Its Opponent
Elsewhere in the CFP bracket, Texas Tech is lined up for the first game of the new year and the second quarterfinal overall. The Red Raiders will take on the winner of the James Madison vs. Oregon matchup, which will round out the first round of the playoff.
And here’s where things get even more interesting: The winner of that Texas Tech game will meet the winner of Alabama vs. Indiana in the CFP semifinals at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
So while Oklahoma heads home after a tough loss, Alabama marches on-and now, all eyes shift to Pasadena, where the Tide will try to topple the tournament’s top dog.
The College Football Playoff is officially underway. And if this first game was any indication, we’re in for a wild ride.