Alabama's CFP Hopes Dim After Shocking Loss to Oklahoma
In a pivotal late-season matchup, Alabama's College Football Playoff (CFP) aspirations took a devastating hit following a 24-3 defeat to Oklahoma. The loss, marked by uncharacteristic mistakes and a lackluster offensive performance, leaves the Crimson Tide scrambling to salvage their postseason dreams.
A Night to Forget for Alabama
Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer lamented his team's errors, which derailed momentum early in the game. The Crimson Tide (8-3, 4-3 SEC) were limited to a season-low 70 rushing yards, while quarterback Jalen Milroe threw three interceptions, highlighting an off-night for the offense.
Oklahoma's defense suffocated Alabama’s attack, forcing critical turnovers and holding the Tide to their lowest point total since 2004. Alabama managed just five first downs after halftime, a testament to the Sooners' dominance.
“We’ve got to be better in all ways,” DeBoer said. “Uncharacteristic things happened early, and we couldn’t recover. The turnovers and missed opportunities shifted the momentum.”
Oklahoma’s Ground Game Shines
On the other side, the Sooners (6-5, 2-5) leaned on a punishing ground attack, amassing 257 rushing yards. Freshman running back Xavier Robinson and quarterback Jackson Arnold spearheaded the effort, helping Oklahoma secure bowl eligibility for the 26th straight season.
Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables praised his team’s physicality. “We were the more physical football team tonight, and it showed,” he said. The Sooners exploited the absence of Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson, who left the game in the second quarter with an injury.
Alabama's Playoff Path Narrows
The loss marks Alabama's third of the season, a rarity for a program that hasn’t experienced such a setback since 2010. The defeat handed Georgia the SEC West title and left Alabama needing significant help to secure a spot in the CFP.
Even with a win over Auburn in the Iron Bowl next week, Alabama will have to rely on upsets and committee favor to crack the 12-team playoff field.
Milroe and the Offense Struggle
Milroe’s performance epitomized Alabama’s struggles. The junior quarterback completed just 11 of 26 passes for 164 yards, threw three interceptions, and rushed for only 7 yards on 15 attempts. Two of his turnovers directly led to Oklahoma touchdowns, including a 49-yard pick-six by linebacker Kip Lewis.
Despite the struggles, DeBoer defended his quarterback. “I thought [Milroe] put the ball where it needed to be, but we didn’t help him out,” he said, citing dropped passes and miscommunication as key issues.
Looking Ahead: Finish Strong
As the Crimson Tide face the prospect of missing the CFP, the focus shifts to finishing the season on a high note. Milroe emphasized the importance of resilience.
“It’s all about finish,” he said. “We’ve got to keep competing and seize every opportunity.”
While Alabama’s postseason fate remains uncertain, their resilience and response in the Iron Bowl will shape the narrative of a season that has veered off course.
Final Thoughts
Alabama's loss to Oklahoma underscores the volatility of college football and the challenges of maintaining dominance in a competitive SEC landscape. For the Crimson Tide, the path forward demands focus, execution, and perhaps a little luck. As DeBoer and his team regroup, their journey to salvage the season begins next week against Auburn, with pride and playoff hopes hanging in the balance.