Friday night in Norman delivered one of the most electrifying comebacks in College Football Playoff history, as No. 9 Alabama surged past No. 8 Oklahoma, 34–24. The Crimson Tide fell into a 17–0 hole early—but rallied with resolve, grit, and momentum-shifting plays that flipped the game entirely 🌪️.
First Half: Crimson Storm vs. Crimson Tide
Oklahoma dominated early, jumping to a 17–0 lead behind quarterback John Mateer’s mix of arm and legs. His 3-yard QB keeper and six-yard TD strike to Isaiah Sategna electrified the Sooners while punishing Alabama, who struggled to produce offense—amassing a meager 12 total yards in the first quarter. [collegefoo…layoff.com], [espn.com]
But halfway through the second, Alabama answered. Ty Simpson connected with freshman Lotzeir Brooks for a 10-yard score—the Tide’s first offensive spark. Momentum shifted completely when a bad snap by Oklahoma punter Grayson Miller led to a blocked punt and a field goal for Alabama. Moments later, Zabien Brown picked off Mateer and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown, tying the game 17–17 at halftime. [espn.com], [collegefoo…layoff.com] [collegefoo…layoff.com], [cbssports.com]
Second Half: Total Tide Takeover
Now in the driver’s seat, Alabama never slowed down. Early in the third, Simpson and Brooks hooked up for a 30-yard touchdown—the first lead of the night for the Tide. A stifling Alabama defense forced Oklahoma three-and-outs; a 40-yard field goal by Conor Talty extended the lead to 27–17 after Alabama rattled off 27 unanswered points. [collegefoo…layoff.com], [cbssports.com]
Fourth Quarter: Closing the Deal
Oklahoma refused to fold, with Mateer finding Deion Burks for a 37-yard TD that cut the lead to 27–24. But Alabama clinched the win when Daniel Hill punched in a six-yard run early in the fourth—his score providing a comfortable buffer at 34–24. [collegefoo…layoff.com], [cbssports.com] [usatoday.com], [collegefoo…layoff.com]
Oklahoma’s kicker Tate Sandell, award‑winning and reliable all season, missed three crucial field goals in the fourth quarter—32, 36, and 51-yard attempts—would-be cut-shot chances that could have brought the Sooners within one score. [soonerswir…atoday.com], [usatoday.com]
Standout Performers
- Ty Simpson (Bama QB): Finished 18-of-29 for 232 yards, two TDs, and no interceptions. [soonerswir…atoday.com], [collegefoo…layoff.com]
- Lotzeir Brooks: Breakout star with 5 receptions, 79 yards, and both of Alabama’s passing touchdowns. [collegefoo…layoff.com], [cbssports.com]
- Zabien Brown: His pivotal pick-six shifted momentum completely at the break. [collegefoo…layoff.com], [cbssports.com]
- John Mateer (OU QB): Threw for 307 yards and two TDs, but the costly INT doomed their comeback. [espn.com], [soonerswir…atoday.com]
- Deion Burks: Accounted for 7 catches, 107 yards, and a touchdown for Oklahoma. [espn.com], [collegefoo…layoff.com]
Why It Mattered
Alabama’s clinching of a road win in hostile territory marked its first CFP triumph since 2021 and avenged earlier losses to Oklahoma (24–3 in ’24 and 23–21 in November ’25). The comeback also stands as one of the largest ever in playoff history—a testament to the Tide’s persistence. [collegefoo…layoff.com], [cbssports.com] [rolltidewi…atoday.com], [cbssports.com]
What’s Next for the Tide
With the win, Alabama (11–3) advances to the Rose Bowl, set to face No. 1 Indiana on January 1—capping one of the most dramatic turnarounds in recent college football lore. [collegefoo…layoff.com], [espn.com]
From dig-deep defense to explosive offensive shines, Alabama’s 34–24 upset is a blueprint of resilience. They fell behind, recalibrated, and relentlessly pursued until they lifted the win. College football thrive on nights like this—and Norman will long remember the Tide’s storm surge.
College Football Never Sleeps 
Leave a comment