Oklahoma Stuns No. 7 Alabama, Ends Tide’s SEC Title Hopes with Dominant 24-3 Win
The road to the College Football Playoff is rarely straightforward, but for No. 7 Alabama, the journey officially derailed in Norman, Oklahoma. A 24-3 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners not only ended the Crimson Tide’s SEC title aspirations but also left their playoff hopes hanging by the thinnest of threads. For a program synonymous with championship contention, the result is a devastating blow in Kalen DeBoer’s first season as head coach following the legendary Nick Saban.
The Turning Point: Third Quarter Collapse
Coming into the game as 14-point favorites, Alabama appeared poised to handle the Sooners. But from the onset, Oklahoma’s defense dictated the pace, pressuring quarterback Jalen Milroe and stifling the Crimson Tide’s run game. The Sooners’ defensive line collapsed the pocket repeatedly, limiting Milroe’s scrambling ability and forcing hurried throws. Milroe, typically a dynamic dual-threat quarterback, finished with just 164 yards on 11-of-26 passing and a season-low 11-yard rushing high.
The game’s pivotal moment came in the third quarter. Trailing 10-3 after a first-half touchdown run by Oklahoma’s Xavier Robinson, Alabama sought to mount a comeback. Instead, freshman cornerback Eli Bowen jumped a short screen pass intended for freshman Ryan Williams, snaring his first career interception and returning it to the Alabama 14-yard line. Five plays later, Robinson punched in his second touchdown, giving Oklahoma a commanding 17-3 lead.
Moments later, Alabama’s unraveling continued. Milroe’s next possession ended in disaster when Oklahoma linebacker Kip Lewis intercepted a pass and returned it 49 yards for a pick-six. Suddenly, Alabama found itself in a 24-3 hole, the largest deficit it faced all season.
A Controversial Call: Williams’ Disallowed Touchdown
If there was a glimmer of hope for Alabama, it flickered in the fourth quarter. Down three scores, the Crimson Tide engineered a desperate drive that appeared to culminate in a miraculous fourth-down touchdown catch by Ryan Williams. The sensational grab would have cut Oklahoma’s lead to two scores with significant time remaining. However, the play was nullified by a questionable illegal touching penalty.
Officials ruled that Williams was improperly covered on the line of scrimmage. Replays, however, told a different story: Williams was the only receiver on his side of the field lined up on the line, with the other receivers appropriately positioned behind it. Despite Alabama’s protests, the flag stood, extinguishing any chance of a comeback.
While frustrating for the Tide faithful, the controversial call wasn’t the root of Alabama’s woes. The three turnovers and inability to establish the run proved far more consequential.
Oklahoma’s Dominance
The Sooners executed a near-flawless game plan to neutralize Alabama’s strengths. Their pass rush harassed Milroe all night, rendering him a non-factor on the ground and in the air. Oklahoma’s linebackers and secondary provided blanket coverage, holding Alabama’s wide receivers to minimal gains.
Offensively, Robinson delivered a standout performance, rushing for two touchdowns and powering through a formidable Alabama front. The Sooners’ 24 points were more than enough against an Alabama offense that managed just three points—their lowest output since 2004.
The win marked Oklahoma’s sixth of the season, securing bowl eligibility and extending a streak that dates back to 1998. For a program transitioning into the SEC next year, this victory sent a resounding message about its readiness to compete in the nation’s toughest conference.
Alabama’s Playoff Hopes: A Longshot at Best
At 8-3 overall and 4-3 in the SEC, Alabama now sits behind four teams in the conference standings: Texas, Texas A&M, Georgia, and Tennessee. The Tide’s playoff hopes rely on a series of unlikely events. They need Georgia to lose to Georgia Tech, Tennessee to fall to Vanderbilt, and Texas to defeat Texas A&M in the SEC title game. Even then, Alabama’s chances hinge on the outcomes in other conferences, particularly the ACC.
The SEC entered Week 13 with six teams vying for playoff contention. After Alabama’s loss, that number has dwindled to four, with Georgia and Texas holding the clearest paths. Tennessee and Texas A&M remain in the mix, but both need favorable outcomes to solidify their cases. Alabama’s slim hopes rest on chaos—a fitting scenario for the final year of the four-team playoff system.
DeBoer’s First-Year Struggles
DeBoer’s first season at the helm was always going to be scrutinized. Following a coach like Saban, who led Alabama to the playoff eight times in its 10-year history, is an unenviable task. While DeBoer’s offensive philosophy brought flashes of brilliance, the Tide’s inability to execute consistently has been their undoing.
Inconsistencies in the passing game, coupled with a lackluster run game, have been recurring issues. Against Oklahoma, Alabama’s offensive line was overwhelmed, and Milroe struggled to find a rhythm. The Tide also committed costly mistakes in crucial moments, a departure from the disciplined, methodical approach that defined Saban’s teams.
Looking Ahead: Building for 2025
As Alabama faces the reality of missing the playoff in the first year of the expanded 12-team format, attention shifts to the future. The Tide will need to address glaring weaknesses, particularly on the offensive line and at quarterback. Milroe’s dual-threat ability is undeniable, but his inconsistency as a passer raises questions about his long-term viability as the starter.
Alabama also needs to regain its defensive identity. While the Tide have had standout individual performers, the unit has lacked the dominance that once made it the gold standard in college football. Rebuilding that defensive edge will be critical in an increasingly competitive SEC.
The Bigger Picture: SEC’s Playoff Prospects
The SEC’s dominance in college football has long been undisputed, but the 2024 season has tested that reputation. With Alabama all but eliminated, the conference’s playoff hopes rest on Georgia, Texas, and potentially Texas A&M or Tennessee.
Georgia remains the frontrunner, boasting a near-perfect record and the conference’s best defense. Texas has been equally impressive, riding a high-powered offense and key wins over top-tier opponents. Texas A&M’s playoff chances hinge on an SEC title game victory, but their four-overtime loss to Auburn raises questions about their consistency.
For Alabama, the playoff dream may be over, but the program’s standards remain sky-high. Missing the postseason is a rare occurrence in Tuscaloosa, and the disappointment will undoubtedly fuel a renewed focus heading into 2025.
Final Thoughts
Alabama’s 24-3 loss to Oklahoma is a sobering moment for a program accustomed to competing for championships. While the Tide’s playoff hopes are technically alive, the reality is that their season has fallen short of expectations. DeBoer’s first year has been marked by growing pains, and the Tide must regroup to reclaim their place among college football’s elite.
For Oklahoma, the win is a testament to the team’s resilience and growth under head coach Brent Venables. As the Sooners prepare to join the SEC, they’ve already made a statement: they’re ready to compete at the highest level.
