Alabama Eliminated Oklahoma from Playoff with 34-24 Victory
NORMAN, Okla. — Ideally, the first College Football Playoff game in school history on Owen Field would have ended differently. Instead, the No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners saw their season conclude on Friday night with a 34-24 loss to the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide.
Despite a valiant effort and an electric atmosphere at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, the Sooners (10-3) couldn’t overcome a balanced Alabama attack and key second-half turnovers.
Game Summary
The game was a rematch of the November 15th thriller where Oklahoma triumphed 23-21, but this time, the Crimson Tide flipped the script. Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe was efficient, using both his arm and legs to keep the Oklahoma defense off balance.
- First Half: The teams traded blows early, going into halftime with a narrow scoreline. Oklahoma’s defense, led by Danny Stutsman and Billy Bowman, managed to force a turnover but struggled to contain Alabama’s explosive plays on third down.
- Turning Point: Midway through the third quarter, with the Sooners trailing by just 3 points, a costly interception gave Alabama a short field. The Tide capitalized with a touchdown drive to extend their lead to 24-14, a deficit Oklahoma ultimately could not erase.
- Final Push: Quarterback Jackson Arnold tried to rally the troops in the fourth quarter, connecting for a late touchdown, but Alabama’s rushing attack drained the clock effectively to seal the win.
Season Perspective
While the loss is stinging, the 2025 season marks a significant step forward for head coach Brent Venables and the program.
- Final Record: 10-3 (6-2 SEC)
- Key Achievements:
- First 12-team College Football Playoff appearance.
- Victory in the Red River Rivalry over Texas.
- Inaugural SEC season success, proving they belong in the toughest conference in college football.
- Regular season victory over Alabama.
“He’s a warrior, man,” Venables said of quarterback John Mateer after the game. “He’s got everything that you want in a competitor, in a leader, in a quarterback.”
Venables acknowledged the team’s difficulty in withstanding Alabama’s second-half surge but emphasized the foundation laid during the season. Despite the loss, the 10-3 campaign and CFP appearance mark a significant step forward for the program in its new era.
What’s Next
Oklahoma heads into the offseason looking to build on this success. With a strong recruiting class coming in and key players returning, the Sooners will aim to go deeper in the expanded playoff format in 2026.
Alabama advances to face the No. 1 seed Indiana Hoosiers in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal on January 1.
