#8 Oklahoma Hosts #9 Alabama in Blockbuster CFP First Round Matchup
[!IMPORTANT] UPDATE: This game has concluded. Oklahoma fell to Alabama 34-24 in the CFP First Round. Read the full recap here.
The College Football Playoff bracket is set, and Norman, Oklahoma is the site of one of the most anticipated First Round matchups. The #8 Oklahoma Sooners (10-2) will host the #9 Alabama Crimson Tide (9-3) at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Friday, December 19.
This isn’t just a playoff game; it’s a rematch of one of the season’s most intense battles. Just last month, on November 15, the Sooners traveled to Tuscaloosa and stunned the Tide with a 23-21 victory that effectively secured their playoff positioning. Now, with the stakes higher than ever, Alabama comes to Norman looking for revenge.
Season in Review: Major Turnaround
Oklahoma’s 10-2 campaign has been a testament to resilience. After a tough loss in the Red River Rivalry (6-23 vs. Texas) and a shootout loss to Ole Miss, many pundits wrote the Sooners off. But Brent Venables’ squad rallied, rattling off four straight wins to close the season, including that signature win at Bryant-Denny Stadium and a gritty 17-13 victory over LSU in the finale.
The defense has been the catalyst. Since the Texas loss, the Sooners have allowed just 16.5 points per game, suffocating opponents with an aggressive front seven.
Breaking News: Reinforcements Arrive
1. R Mason Thomas Returns In a massive boost for the Sooners’ pass rush, defensive end R Mason Thomas has been cleared to play. The Bednarik Award semifinalist missed the last three games with a quad injury. His return adds a critical weapon against Alabama’s Jalen Milroe.
2. Tate Sandell Honored Oklahoma kicker Tate Sandell has been named a Second Team All-American and the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year. In a game expected to be defensive and tight, having the nation’s most clutch kicker (winner of the Lou Groza Award) could be the ultimate difference-maker.
The Matchup: Round 2
Quarterback Battle
All eyes will be on Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer. Since recovering from the hand surgery that hampered him in the Texas game, Mateer has been electric, using his legs to extend plays and finding rhythm in the passing game. In the first meeting against Alabama, his ability to scramble on third downs kept the Tide’s defense off balance.
For Alabama, Jalen Milroe remains one of the most dangerous weapons in college football. The Sooners contained him in November, limiting his explosive runs, but stopping him twice is a monumental task.
Home Field Advantage
This will be the first-ever on-campus College Football Playoff game in Norman. The atmosphere at the Palace on the Prairie is expected to be raucous. Night games in Norman are already legendary; add the pressure of a playoff elimination game, and it could be the deciding factor.
What’s at Stake?
The winner advances to the CFP Quarterfinals to face the #1 seed Indiana Hoosiers (yes, you read that right—the undefeated Hoosiers are the top seed).
For Oklahoma, a win would validate their move to the SEC and cement Brent Venables’ tenure as a success. For Alabama, it’s a chance to prove they are still the premier program in the sport, even as a lower seed.
Prediction: Expect a defensive struggle similar to the first meeting. Home field advantage gives the Sooners the edge. Oklahoma 24, Alabama 20.
