Oklahoma outlasts Alabama: Sooners keep CFP hopes alive, score biggest win since joining SEC

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables has been under fire for much of his tenure, especially after posting two losing seasons in three years. After emerging as one of the biggest spenders in the transfer portal, the Sooners earned themselves a true signature victory. 

The Crimson Tide are the most vaunted program of the 21st Century and elevated themselves to the top of the SEC after an eight-game winning streak. However, the Sooners walked into town and pulled off their first win in Tuscaloosa since 2003. 

Now, Oklahoma is firmly entrenched in the College Football Playoff picture. They should have a serious chance to jump Notre Dame after the victory. There's plenty of football left to be played, but beating Missouri and LSU should get them in. 

Under former coach Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide were defined by ruthless efficiency. In the loss to Oklahoma –- and really both, including the 24-3 upset last season –- Brent Venables has managed to take full advantage of Alabama mistakes. 

The Crimson Tide turned the ball over three times in the game, by far the worst mark of the season. Quarterback Ty Simpson had two on his own, and had another interception erased by a pass interference penalty in the end zone. Making matters worse, Alabama's issues running the ball continued. 

The Tide managed to play with fire for most of the 2025 season, winning three straight one-score games. The mistakes were simply too much for that to continue in Tuscaloosa. 

Oklahoma star defensive end R. Mason Thomas was held out of the game with an injury. In his place, defensive end Taylor Wein played a sensational game, emerging as one of the best players on the field. 

Wein stepped up and posted a sack with a forced fumble that turned into points. He added a partially blocked field goal right before the half. Linebacker Kip Lewis was also sensational with two sacks and seven tackles. It was a banner day for the Sooners. 

Oklahoma's depth on the defensive line has been a welcome addition as the program charges towards a CFP run. 

FINAL: Oklahoma 23, Alabama 21

No. 11 Oklahoma went into Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and pulled off a stunner, dropping No. 4 Alabama and handing them their first SEC loss of the season. The Sooners got a critical fourth down stop in the fourth quarter to ice the victory. 

Oklahoma got a masterful effort from its defense and special teams, forcing three turnovers and drawing a lengthy 42-yard punt return to set up a field goal. The Sooners got an 87-yard interception returned for a touchdown by safety Peyton Bowen. They nearly had another game-changer when Simpson was picked off in the end zone, but it was erased by a pass interference penalty.  

Conversely, Alabama played well when the game was on schedule. Simpson posted 326 yards and running back Daniel Hill had two touchdowns in a breakout effort. However, a fumble by Ryan Williams on a punt recovery cost them. So did both a fumble and interception from Simpson, who came into the day with only one interception all season. 

The Sooners got only 212 total yards of offense, but 20 of their points were created by plays on defense and special teams. No skill player on the team finished with more than 36 yards. Additionally, Oklahoma partially blocked a field goal before the half that proved to be the game winner. 

The win is a significant one for Oklahoma as it fights for its College Football Playoff destiny. The Sooners were rated the first team out of the bracket in the rankings, but going on the road and beating the No. 4 team in the country could send shockwaves into the SEC title race. 

Alabama pulled out left tackle Kadyn Proctor as a running back -- but he proved to be a decoy on 4th-and-1. Instead, the Crimson Tide ran a toss that reached the first down as the two minute timeout hit. Alabama can drive for the win here. 

Oklahoma had one of its better drives of the game, driving deep into Alabama territory. Facing pressure on third down, quarterback John Mateer grounded the ball, seeming to think he might have had a running back in the area. There wasn't anyone close, and the play pushed Oklahoma all the way out of field goal range. That could be a costly mistake. 

4Q: Oklahoma 23, Alabama 21

The Sooners got the ball at the Alabama 28-yard line, but was once again unable to get into the end zone. Tate Sandell hit another field goal, though, to give Oklahoma a fourth quarter lead. Twenty of Oklahoma's 23 points have come directly from defense or special teams as Alabama has surrendered a season-high three turnovers. 

Oklahoma has three drives that started in Alabama territory. Only one of them turned into a touchdown. 

End 3Q: Alabama 21, Oklahoma 20

Oklahoma is driving to retake the lead after forcing a fumble off Ty Simpson, the third Alabama turnover of the game. The Sooners trail just 21-20 heading into a fourth drive in positive field position. 

Sooners defensive end Taylor Wein managed to get around the edge and crash Simpson as he dropped back to pass at the 28-yard line. Two plays later, Oklahoma drew a pass interference penalty to move into a goal-to-go situation at the Alabama 10. Seventeen of Oklahoma's 20 points have come directly off short field position. 

Simpson has turned the ball over twice, but the junior has completed 24-of-34 passes for 292 yards and a touchdown against the vaunted Oklahoma defense. Sophomore running back Daniel Hill also has a pair of touchdowns. 

The Sooners likely need a win to stay alive in the College Football Playoff race. Oklahoma was the first team out in the most recent rankings. 

3Q: Alabama 21, Oklahoma 20

Alabama's offense woke up on its first drive of the second half, especially on the arm of Ty Simpson. After Daniel Hill broke off a career-long 28-yard rush, Simpson hit Josh Cuevas for 20 yards and Isaiah Horton for 26 yards to set up a touchdown run by Hill to take the Tide's first lead of the game. 

Alabama is outgaining Oklahoma 349-158 midway through the third quarter, including a 19 to eight edge in first downs. 

3Q: Oklahoma 20, Alabama 14

Facing 3rd-and-13, John. Mateer connected with Isaiah Sategna for a 21-yard pass to generate a first down and set up a 52-yard field goal from Tate Sandell. Sandell has been perhaps the Sooners' most reliable player -- and that's saying something, considering he plays with one of the nation's best defenses. 

HALF: Oklahoma 17, Alabama 14

Oklahoma holds a narrow three-point lead against Alabama after the Crimson Tide whiffed on a 36-yard field goal to end the first half. The Sooners have forced numerous mistakes from the No. 4 Crimson Tide to give themselves a chance entering the second half. 

Oklahoma jumped out to a 10-0 lead and 17-7 thanks to major breaks granted by their defense and special teams. The Sooners got a 42-yard punt return from receiver Isaiah Sategna to set up a field goal, a pick-six by safety Peyton Bowen and a forced fumble on a punt against Ryan Williams that set up another touchdown. But because of all the outside breaks, Oklahoma mustered only 107 total yards in the half. 

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson locked in after some early struggles and delivered 246 yards and a touchdown in the first half. He converted a key fourth down to set the Crimson Tide up in solid field goal range, but a high snap led to a partially blocked field goal by kicker Connor Talty. 

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer has 58 yards passing and 30 yards rushing to lead the Sooners. He called his own number for a 20-yard touchdown run off Williams' fumble. However, no other member of the Crimson Tide have more than 31 all-purpose yards. 

2Q: Oklahoma 17, Alabama 14

Alabama used a tricky misdirection to free up tight end Josh Cuevas for a big touchdown. The Tide appeared to look to the sideline for a call, causing OU to do the same. They quickly snapped and generated Cuevas leaking out over the middle for a wide open touchdown scamper. 

When Alabama can stay out of its own way and avoid mistakes, they've had success. That's just been a struggle against the vaunted Sooners' defense. 

2Q: Oklahoma 17, Alabama 7

Alabama's defense thrived with the ability to play Oklahoma's offense straight up, forcing a quick three-and-out. However, punt returner Ryan Williams fumbled the ball deep in their own territory to set up a first down for Oklahoma at the Alabama 31-yard line. 

On the second play of the drive, John Mateer called his own number and rushed it in for a 20-yard touchdown. The Sooners are back up by two scores. 

2Q: Oklahoma 10, Alabama 7

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson appeared to throw his second interception, this time a backbreaker in the end zone. However, OU defender Kendal Daniels was called for pass interference in the end zone, setting up a one-yard rushing score from Daniel Hill to pull the game within one score. 

The call was a significant one. Of course, it allowed Alabama to get into the end zone. Additionally, it allows Alabama to set up a traditional defensive drive. Their first two drives have started at the Alabama 30-yard line and Oklahoma 37-yard line. Even just a touchback would be a major improvement against a struggling Oklahoma offense. 

End 1Q: Oklahoma 10, Alabama 0

Oklahoma used a dominant defensive and special teams performance to take a quick 10-0 lead at the end of the first quarter in Tuscaloosa. The Sooners forced a pick-six off heralded quarterback Ty Simpson, a rare mistake for the Heisman hopeful. 

Simpson tried to fade back while throwing a slant and safety Peyton Bowen read it quickly. He returned the interception – only Simpson's second of his season – for a touchdown. The Sooners also got a 42-yard punt return from Isaiah Sategna to set up a field goal to take a two-score lead. 

Alabama has run the ball for only eight yards on seven carries as the top-ranked Oklahoma defense wins the battle in the trenches. Simpson has completed 7-of-10 passes for 60 yards, in addition to the interception. Oklahoma's John Mateer connected with Deion Burks for an 18-yard pass on their first play, but the Sooners have mustered only 24 yards on nine plays since. 

1Q: Oklahoma 10, Alabama 0

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson came into today with only one interception. Oklahoma safety Peyton Bowen flipped that on its head. Bowen jumped into a passing lane off a fading Simpson, intercepted the pass and returned it more than 80 yards for a stunning touchdown. 

Suddenly, the Sooners -- playing with best player R. Mason Thomas -- are up 10-0 against the vaunted Crimson Tide. This game has eery comparisons to Oklahoma's upset victory from last season, a 24-3 decision in Norman. 

Oklahoma is challenging Alabama to throw the ball against their fierce pass rush, and nothing is working. The Sooners sacked Ty Simpson on first down and forced another punt to Sategna. This is exactly what Oklahoma needed to build confidence. 

1Q: Oklahoma 3, Alabama 0

The Sooners used a strong punt return by Isaiah Sategna to get deep into Alabama territory, and reached the red zone after John Mateer found Deion Burks for a reception. However, the offense stalled out and the Sooners had to settle for a red zone field goal. Star kicker Tate Sandell knocked it through the uprights and the Sooners lead at Bryant-Denny Stadium. 

Alabama started with the ball, but Oklahoma's defense stepped up and forced an early punt. Receiver Isaiah Sategna stepped up with a massive 42-yard return to get the Sooners deep into Alabama territory. They have a chance to take an early lead against the vaunted Tide. 

Oklahoma's defense rates among the nation's best, but has given up a few big plays in the passing game over the past few weeks. Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson and receivers Ryan WIlliams and Germie Bernard present a unique challenge, especially if Oklahoma is unable to get much consistency from its offense. The defense will keep the game close, but Alabama will pull away. Pick: Alabama -6

Alabama vs. Oklahoma prediction, pick, odds, spread: Blue blood programs meet in critical SEC showdown

Shehan Jeyarajah

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer was one of the most dynamic players in America during the Sooners' hot start, but has fallen back to earth after undergoing hand surgery. Over his last four games, Mateer has completed fewer than 60% of his passes, averaged 5.9 yards per attempt and thrown two touchdowns to four interceptions. 

Alabama features the second-best passing defense in the SEC, giving up only 164.1 yards per game and a 116.3 passer rating. Mateer has his work cut out.