When Alabama and Oklahoma took the field, it didn’t feel like a classic showdown.
For much of the night, the game looked like a battle neither side was particularly desperate to win.
Fans might have expected fireworks, but the first half quickly turned into a series of starts and stops, mistakes, and missed opportunities.
Oklahoma burst out with a 17-0 lead, only to give up the exact same margin before halftime.
Missed tackles, blown blocks, and failed receptions defined the early stages.
Alabama, incredibly, had negative rushing yards after 30 minutes—a stat that perfectly captured the chaotic first half.
By the final whistle, neither team looked dominant.
The only consolation for Alabama: they made fewer mistakes and managed to escape with a 34-24 win, booking their ticket to the Rose Bowl.
Alabama Sneaks Into Pasadena
The Crimson Tide will head to Pasadena next week to face No. 1 Indiana, but the victory over Oklahoma felt more like an escape than a statement.
Alabama scored 17 points in the second half, while Oklahoma kicker Tate Sandell—winner of the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s top kicker—missed two crucial field goals in the closing minutes, allowing the Sooners to bow out quietly.
Earlier in the season, Oklahoma had eked out a similarly sloppy but more competitive victory over Alabama. This rematch, however, told a different story.
Oklahoma’s Early Dominance
The Sooners looked unstoppable early on. By 10:51 remaining in the second quarter, Oklahoma had established a 17-0 lead.
Quarterback John Mateer scored the first touchdown on the ground, Sandell nailed a 51-yard field goal, and Mateer connected with Isaiah Sategna III to widen the lead.
It seemed like Oklahoma was on a fast track to their first-ever College Football Playoff victory—but momentum was about to swing violently in Alabama’s favor.
Alabama’s Comeback
Halftime saw the Crimson Tide drawing even, thanks to a combination of smart plays and mistakes by Oklahoma.
Ty Simpson hit Lotzeir Brooks for a touchdown, and kicker Conor Talty added a 35-yard field goal.
The pivotal moment came when Mateer threw a poorly read pass directly to Alabama defensive back Zabien Brown, who sprinted 50 yards for a touchdown.
Suddenly, the game was tied at 17-17, and the Tide had all the momentum.
Securing the Win
Alabama never looked back after that.
Brooks caught another touchdown, and Talty added a field goal to give Alabama a 27-17 lead by the third quarter.
Oklahoma managed to narrow the deficit to three points with a Deion Burks touchdown, but Alabama responded swiftly.
Running back Daniel Hill broke through multiple missed tackles to extend the lead again.
Oklahoma had opportunities to mount a comeback, but time and execution worked against them.
Sandell’s late misses from 36 and 51 yards sealed the outcome, leaving Oklahoma stunned as the Crimson Tide kneeled out the clock.
Stats Don’t Tell the Whole Story
Surprisingly, Oklahoma outgained Alabama by over 100 yards, but it was costly mistakes—particularly Mateer’s interception—that made the difference.
Mateer finished with 307 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Simpson threw for 232 yards with two touchdowns himself.
The stats paint a curious picture: Oklahoma moved the ball well, yet Alabama’s efficiency in key moments carried the day.
What’s Next for Alabama?
Looking ahead, Alabama faces a tough test against the Indiana Hoosiers in the Rose Bowl.
Indiana has been stingy all season, never allowing more than 24 points in a game and giving up just 20 combined points in their last three contests.
Alabama will need to tighten up a shaky offense if they hope to make a real statement in Pasadena.
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