Alabama downs Oklahoma: Crimson Tide match largest comeback in CFP history, earn Rose Bowl date vs. Indiana

The Crimson Tide were a controversial inclusion in the College Football Playoff, the first three-loss team to ever make the field. In their last appearance, they got slammed 28-7 against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. Through 20 minutes of action, this game looked like it was heading in the same direction. 

Instead, quarterback Ty Simpson and a strong defensive effort helped turn the tide and get Alabama back into the win column. The victory was a meaningful one for Kalen DeBoer after the Tide missed the CFP last season. The last Alabama playoff win came in 2021 against Cincinnati. 

The Crimson Tide will be heavy underdogs against No. 1 Indiana, already coming in as -6.5 in early odds, according to DraftKings. 

But after picking up a playoff win, the DeBoer era at least has its first signature moment. 

Alabama was looking for a spark after going down by 17 points in the first half. In true freshman wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks, they found it. The New Jersey native got a critical target on fourth-and-2 in the second quarter, catching a pass and breaking multiple tackles to find his way into the end zone. 

Early in the second half, Brooks' number was called again. The freshman was targeted in the end zone for a 30-yard touchdown reception where he made an acrobatic adjustment to send safety Peyton Bowen flying. Alabama never trailed again. 

Brooks finished with five catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns in a signature performance. By catches, yardage and touchdowns, it was the best performance of his young career, and it came at the biggest time. 

Oklahoma's luck in the postseason is horrid. The Sooners are not only 0-5 in the College Football Playoff, they now own the two worst choke jobs in playoff history.

Remember, the Sooners blew a 17-point lead against Georgia in that 54-48 loss at the Rose Bowl in the semifinals in 2017. This was worse. Alabama scored 27 unanswered points after Oklahoma grabbed a 17-0 lead.

In the past, you could chalk up the blown leads to the Sooners' heavy lean on the offense under Bob Stoops and Lincoln Riley. But now for it to happen having one of the nation's best defenses? That's concerning.

FINAL: Alabama 34, Oklahoma 24

No. 9 Alabama overcame an early 17-point deficit to stun No. 8 Oklahoma 34-24 in the first round of the College Football Playoff. The Crimson Tide stifled the Sooners' offense in the second half and rattled off a 24-0 run to advance to the quarterfinals against No. 1 Indiana in the Rose Bowl. 

The Sooners got off to a picture-perfect start on both sides of the ball. Oklahoma scored on three of its first four drives, taking advantage of great starting field position thanks to its defense. The 17 points through 1.5 quarters matched the most offensive points for the Sooners in a game for the first time since Tennessee. 

However, a whiffed punt from Grayson Miller swung the complexion of the game. Alabama managed to cut the lead to one score after a field goal. One drive later, Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer threw an ugly pick-six to Zabien Brown that suddenly tied the game before the half. 

In the second half, Alabama took over. The defense forced five sacks, all coming from different levels of the defense. Alabama was able to create opportunities for quarterback Ty Simpson, headlined by a beautiful pass to freshman Lotzeir Brooks for a touchdown, one of his two on the day. 

Oklahoma had one final shot to cut the lead to one score as Lou Groza Award-winning kicker Tate Sandell had a chip shot from 36 yards. Stunningly, he missed after it went over the top of the uprights. Sandell's miss was his first since the season opener, a streak of 24 straight. He got one more attempt with fewer than two minutes remaining. The 51-yard attempt fell just short. 

Brooks led the Crimson Tide with five catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns, a breakout performance for the freshman. Simpson had 232 yards through the air, with at least 40 yards to four different receivers. Mateer threw for 307 yards and rushed for 15 yards in the loss, with seven catches for 107 yards and a touchdown going to Deion Burks. 

With the win, Alabama avenges its loss to the Sooners earlier in November and advances to the national quarterfinals against No. 1 Indiana. The win is the first in the CFP for the Crimson Tide since 2021. Oklahoma remains winless in five tries. 

Oklahoma kicker Tate Sandell is the best in the nation by a wide margin. He won the Lou Groza Award and did not miss a single field goal after his first kick of the year... until tonight. The Sooners needed a 36-yarder from Sandell to cut the lead to one score, and he stunningly kicked it over the crossbar, where it was ruled no good. That should just about do it in Norman. 

4Q: Alabama 34, Oklahoma 24

Once down 17-0 in the first half, Alabama has taken a 10-point lead after running back Daniel Hill rumbled to a six-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. The scoring drive was set up by a poor Oklahoma punt, a second mistake for the usually elite Sooners special teams unit. 

Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard has been quiet, but his third catch of the game was a doozy. Bernard jumped over the top of an Oklahoma defensive back for an acrobatic catch to get the Crimson Tide into the red zone with a chance to take a commanding two-score lead. 

Early 4Q: Alabama 27, Oklahoma 24

Maybe all Oklahoma needed was 50 Cent? The rapper appeared in person between the third and fourth quarters to sign "Many Men," the Sooners' fourth-quarter anthem.

Two plays later: Oklahoma scored to get back into this game. Coincidence? We think not. John Mateer hit Deion Burks for a 37-yard touchdown as he weaved through the Tide's defense.

Alabama is in control heading into the fourth quarter, but Oklahoma crossed midfield as we approached the fourth quarter.

This is a huge possession for the Sooners, who have allowed 27 unanswered points at home against the Tide.

OU opened the game with scores on three of its first four possessions, and since then it's been nothing but frustration. The Sooners have managed only 93 yards since taking a 17-0 lead. 

Late 3Q: Alabama 27, Oklahoma 17

Alabama has now scored 27 unanswered points. The Tide completed a nine-play, 40-yard drive with Conor Talty's 40-yard field goal to grab a 27-17 lead with 4:30 remaining in the third quarter.

The drive was kept alive on a defensive hold penalty on third-and-2. Germie Bernard dropped what would have been an explosive pass play but was bailed out by Courtland Guillory's hold. Otherwise, Alabama would have gone three-and-out. 

Ty Simpson later picked up a first down on a 13-yard run on third-and-5 to help set up the field goal try.

Early 3Q: Alabama 24, Oklahoma 17

Alabama has scored 24 unanswered points to grab a 24-17 lead against Oklahoma here in Norman. 

Ty Simpson threw a beautiful pass to Lotzeir Brooks in the left corner of the end zone for a 30-yarder. Brooks has been fantastic tonight, catching four passes for 74 yards and two touchdowns.

An explosive run play set up the touchdown drive, believe it or not. Daniel Hill picked up 30 yards for one of the longest runs of the entire season by Alabama, which now has 27 yards rushing. 

The script has completely flipped here in Norman. It's difficult to believe OU once led this game 17-0 and seemed primed to blow out the Tide.

Ty Simpson seems more comfortable, even with Oklahoma swarming the pocket, but his receivers are not helping him. Ryan Williams just dropped a pass along the sideline that would have been a big first down on third-and-long. Now Alabama punts to open the second half.

There has been only one comeback of 17-plus points in College Football Playoff history: Georgia over Oklahoma in 2017. The Bulldogs overcame a 17-point deficit to win 54-48.

Alabama has closed the 17-0 deficit to tie Oklahoma at halftime.

Halftime: Alabama 17, Oklahoma 17

Alabama has successfully sucked the air out of Gaylord Memorial Stadium with a 17-0 run in the second quarter to tie the game going into halftime. Wow. What a first half in the College Football Playoffs.

This game is almost a reverse image of the first meeting in Tuscaloosa, where Oklahoma used three turnovers -- including a Pick Six -- to upset the Tide 23-21. Tonight, a blocked punt and Zabien Brown's Pick Six have helped shift the momentum in favor of the Tide despite being outgained 236-100 by the Sooners.

Remember, in November, Oklahoma was nearly doubled up by Alabama's offense and still won.

Ty Simpson has rebounded, throwing for 103 yards on 9 of 16 passing. The Tide's running game hasn't rebounded since the SEC Championship Game, however. They have minus-3 yards. 

John Mateer is 16 of 24 passing for 186 yards and one touchdown with a costly interception. He also leads all rushers with 27 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.

How weird might this game get in the second half?

Late 2Q: Alabama 17, Oklahoma 17

John Mateer just made the biggest mistake of this game, throwing an ill-advised pass on a short throw where — maybe? — he thought the receiver would step back toward the play or run an out route instead of continuing a route along the sideline. Zabien Brown was waiting in front of the route and snagged the ball, returning it 50 yards for a touchdown.

And just like that, we have a tied ball game in Norman. What a series of moments here for Alabama, which has capitalized on a blocked punt and an interception.

The Tide once trailed 17-0 and now has tied the game despite OU out-gaining them 229-100. Alabama has minus-3 yards.

Late 2Q: Oklahoma 17, Alabama 10

A potential blowout has turned into a tight ball game. Alabama has pulled within a score on back-to-back scoring drives. A blocked punt set up the latest. Ty Simpson hit Isaiah Horton for a 14-yard gain, but then Simpson was sacked for a 7-yard loss and the Tide settled for Conor Talty's 35-yard field goal.

Alabama has some momentum. OU punter Grayson Miller was unable to handle the ball, dropped it and then picked it up before Alabama's Tim Keenan III came through relatively untouched to block the punt attempt late in the second quarter.

Alabama takes over at OU's 30-yard line after the special teams snafu.

Can the Tide capitalize?

Mid 2Q: Oklahoma 17, Alabama 7

Alabama is on the board with a big response by Ryan Grubb's offense. The Tide marched 75 yards on nine plays after their first three drives managed only 12 yards.

Ty Simpson finally got into a rhythm, even if it was still a bit difficult against the Sooners' pass rush. He was 5 of 7 passing for 71 yards, including the 10-yard strike to Lotzeir Brooks, who dove into the end zone amid a chasing OU defense.

Tight end Josh Cuevas, fresh off an injury, has come up big for the Tide in his return to the field tonight. His 23-yard catch put the Tide inside the red zone for the first time.

Early 2Q: Oklahoma 17, Alabama 0

If it wasn't clear already, Oklahoma is in complete control here in Norman.

John Mateer is carving up the Alabama defense, and his offensive line is giving him plenty of time to throw. He's 10 of 15 passing for 132 yards and a touchdown after throwing a beautiful 7-yard strike to Isaiah Sategna III to put the Sooners ahead 17-0.

Oklahoma has 17 points and Alabama has 12 … yards. Yikes.

Deion Burks came up huge on that drive, catching an 18-yard pass as he fell out of bounds. He dragged a toe just before falling out of bounds, and a review of the play in the booth held up the play as ruled on the field.

Meanwhile, it's clear Alabama hasn't corrected any of the issues it faced late in the season, even with a healthier roster on the field tonight. Up to 13 players who were limited or did not play in the SEC Championship Game are available tonight — and none of them have shown up in a big moment yet.

End 1Q: Oklahoma 10, Alabama 0

Brent Venables has dialed up a fantastic game plan so far. The Sooners are attacking Ty Simpson from multiple spots, from linebacker to cornerback, on blitzes. Meanwhile, the offense has revved up and flipped the field early in the game with an incredible opening drive, and though it didn't result in points, it set the tone, and Alabama has not yet exited its own red zone. 

Simpson has suffered a sack and has been forced out of the pocket more often than he wants. Remarkably, Oklahoma allowed Alabama to run only eight plays in the first quarter -- both drives were three-and-outs.

OU is out-gaining the Tide 118 yards to 12. Alabama is averaging only 1.5 yards per play.

Late 1Q: Oklahoma 10, Alabama 0

Tate Sandell drills a 51-yard field goal to extend Oklahoma's lead to 10-0 with 45 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Sandell has tied the FBS record with his eighth made field goal of 50-plus yards this season. He's 8 for 8 this year. Remarkable stuff from the Lou Groza Award winner.

Oklahoma's defense has done a remarkable job with Alabama's back against its own end zone. The Tide hasn't crossed their own 17-yard line, let alone exit their own red zone. That opening drive (nine plays for 31 yards) by the Sooners flipped the field, and the defense isn't giving up many inches, let alone yards, to the Tide.

Late 1Q: Oklahoma 7, Alabama 0

John Mateer isn't afraid to run, and that's great news for the Sooners. The quarterback just scored on an 8-yard run to cap a great eight-play, 59-yard drive.

The Sooners' play-calling is similar to what we saw earlier this season with a healthy Mateer. There has been a healthy dose of designed runs for Mateer, and the quarterback Is now attacking the middle of the field through the air.

The Sooners have converted three of four third downs, including a third-and-10 with a 17-yard pass to Xavier Robinson. Mateer Is 3 of 7 passing for 52 yards to go along with five runs for 26 yards and a score.

Oklahoma has 90 yards of offense compared to Alabama's 5, but the Tide has only one possession.

Mid 1Q: Alabama 0, Oklahoma 0

Oklahoma's opening drive set up Alabama at the 12, which led to a three-and-out, a punt, and now Oklahoma has great field position to start its second drive.

John Mateer took advantage early with a 21-yard throw down the middle to a wide-open Jer'Michael Carter. The Sooners are once again on Alabama's side of the field. Can they convert this into a score?

The Sooners opened the game with a strong drive, converting two third downs, but then stalled at Alabama's 46-yard line on the ninth play.

Oklahoma called for a big shot on the first play, but John Mateer held onto the ball as nothing developed downfield. Mateer was 1 of 13 passing for 14 yards, and he ran for seven yards on three carries.

The Tide takes over at their own 12-yard line after the punt.

Oklahoma put on quite the light show before the game tonight.

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer hasn't looked the same since undergoing surgery to repair a broken thumb in his right hand in late September. He returned to play Texas on Oct. 11, and suffered his first loss while throwing three interceptions and completing only 52.6% of his passes. The drop-off since the surgery has been noticeable, but with three weeks of rest since the regular-season finale, Is Mateer finally healthy?

The quarterback is not wearing a wrap on his throwing hand tonight for the first time since the surgery. That's certainly a notable change.

Mateer has completed only 58.6% of his throws, with six touchdowns and seven Interceptions since the surgery. Remember, he was a Heisman Trophy frontrunner early in the season after beating Michigan and Auburn, when he completed 67.7% of his passes for six touchdowns and three picks.

Oh, and he was more productive on the ground back then, too, when he ran for five of his seven touchdowns.

The final availability report for Alabama-Oklahoma has been posted. As expected, elite pass rusher LT Overton will not play for the Crimson Tide tonight.

The sun has set on the prairie, and Norman is amped up for playoff football. The setting here was breathtaking at sunset.

Every team has earned the right to star in the College Football Playoff and vie for the national championship. At the same time, however, each team in the field has a fatal flaw that could hold them back from ultimately reaching that goal? 

What might hinder Alabama and Oklahoma from completing the mission? Check it out below: 

The College Football Playoff's 12 teams all had great seasons, but none are without a fatal flaw

Chip Patterson

Both Alabama QB Ty Simpson and Oklahoma QB John Mateer have been two of the most exciting signal callers in the country this season. At one point, each was considered a favorite for the Heisman Trophy, though for differing reasons, neither were ultimately able to hoist college football's most prized individual honor. 

But, where do they sit among their peers in the field? Check it out in our CFP QB Power Rankings below: 

College Football Playoff QB Power Rankings: Indiana's Fernando Mendoza earns top spot ahead of first round

David Cobb