In a high-stakes opening round of the newly expanded College Football Playoff, the Alabama Crimson Tide overcame a sluggish start and a 17-point first-quarter deficit to defeat the Oklahoma Sooners 34–24 on December 19, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. The victory propels Alabama into the national quarterfinals and underscores the team’s resilience and ability to adapt under pressure in the postseason.
The contest began with Oklahoma seizing early momentum. The Sooners capitalized on Alabama’s early miscues to take a 17–0 lead in the first quarter. Their offense moved efficiently, converting key third downs and executing a balanced mix of run and pass plays. Meanwhile, Alabama struggled to find rhythm on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Ty Simpson, stepping in for the Tide this season, appeared tentative early, and the defense gave up large chunks of yardage as the Sooners looked poised to pull away.
However, Alabama’s coaching staff quickly made adjustments. On defense, the Crimson Tide began applying more pressure at the line of scrimmage, disrupting Oklahoma’s tempo. The turning point came midway through the second quarter, when Alabama defensive back Zabien Brown intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown. That play not only cut the deficit but dramatically shifted the energy of the game. Alabama’s sideline, which had been subdued during the early scoring blitz, came alive, and from that point forward, the Crimson Tide took control.
Offensively, Simpson settled in and began commanding the field with poise. He connected on key throws to his young receiving corps, including a crucial touchdown pass to standout freshman Lotzeir Brooks that tied the game before halftime. Alabama’s offensive line also began winning battles in the trenches, opening up space for running backs to chew up yardage and control the clock. By halftime, the Crimson Tide had erased the early 17-point gap, and the score was tied 17–17.
In the second half, Alabama asserted dominance on both sides of the ball. The defense limited Oklahoma to just one additional touchdown, while the offense methodically built its lead. A long field goal in the third quarter put Alabama ahead for the first time in the game, and another sustained drive capped by a touchdown extended the margin. Although Oklahoma briefly narrowed the score in the fourth quarter with a touchdown pass from quarterback John Mateer to wide receiver Deion Burks, the Sooners failed to mount a full comeback. Alabama’s defense tightened up in the final minutes, and the Crimson Tide ran out the clock to preserve the win.
The 34–24 result was a hard-earned comeback and a testament to Alabama’s depth and adaptability. Ty Simpson finished the game with over 230 passing yards and two touchdown passes, leading a well-balanced offense that gradually wore down the Oklahoma defense. On defense, Alabama forced key turnovers and limited big plays after the opening quarter, adjusting their coverage schemes and pass rush to stifle the Sooners’ initial momentum.
For Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, the victory represents another step in his program’s evolution under the spotlight of the expanded playoff format. DeBoer, who took over the storied program following Nick Saban’s retirement, has embraced the pressure and expectations that come with leading one of college football’s most successful dynasties. This playoff win, especially coming on the road against a quality Big 12 opponent, reaffirms Alabama’s postseason credentials and championship aspirations.
On the other side, Oklahoma’s season comes to an abrupt and disappointing end. The Sooners showed flashes of brilliance early in the game, but their inability to adjust to Alabama’s defensive changes and maintain offensive consistency ultimately led to their downfall. It was a bitter finish for a team that had hoped to make a deeper run in the inaugural 12-team playoff, which was introduced this season to widen the postseason field and offer more programs a shot at the national title.
With the win, Alabama advances to face top-seeded Indiana in the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2026. That matchup is already drawing national attention, as Indiana enters the quarterfinals undefeated and ranked among the top contenders for the national championship. The game will be a major test for the Crimson Tide, who must now prepare to take on one of the nation’s most balanced and disciplined teams.
The victory over Oklahoma adds to the growing narrative of Alabama’s late-season resurgence. After a turbulent regular season that included a narrow loss in the SEC Championship Game to Georgia, the Crimson Tide appear to be peaking at the right time. Their ability to respond to adversity on the road, adjust mid-game, and finish strong bodes well for their prospects as the College Football Playoff unfolds.
As bowl season continues and semifinal matchups take shape, Alabama’s performance in Norman serves as a reminder of why the program remains a perennial powerhouse in college football. Even in a new era of playoff expansion and parity, the Crimson Tide have once again proven that they are a force to be reckoned with when it matters most.
