Oklahoma opens its College Football Playoff run against an Alabama team that arrives in Norman searching for answers after a humbling SEC Championship loss. The Crimson Tide enter the postseason at 10–3, but their most recent outing — a 28–7 defeat against Georgia — exposed lingering offensive issues. Alabama struggled to generate any push on the ground, finishing with minus-three rushing yards on 16 carries, and never found rhythm against a disciplined Bulldogs defense. That inconsistency has followed the Tide at times this season, particularly away from home, despite an offense that averages 33.3 points per game. Defensively, Alabama remains elite, ranking 11th nationally in scoring defense and top 10 against the pass, allowing just 157.8 yards per game through the air. Their ability to limit explosive plays and force opponents into long drives has kept them competitive even when the offense stalls, but turnovers and penalties have repeatedly put added stress on that unit.
That formula plays directly into Oklahoma’s strengths. The Sooners enter the CFP at 10–2 and built their postseason résumé on defense, ranking seventh nationally by allowing just 13.9 points per game. Brent Venables’ group has been particularly dominant against the run, surrendering only 81.4 rushing yards per contest and six rushing touchdowns all season, a critical matchup against an Alabama offense still searching for ground stability. Oklahoma’s offense hasn’t been flashy, averaging 26.4 points per game, but it has been timely, efficient, and capable of controlling tempo when needed. The Sooners showed that blueprint in their 17–13 win over LSU, leaning on field position, defensive pressure, and red-zone toughness. With Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium providing a hostile backdrop and both teams built around defense, this first-round showdown sets up as a physical, low-margin battle where execution, discipline, and a single turnover could decide who advances.
Kickoff: 7:00 PM CT
Location: Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
Television: ABC/ESPN
Notes & Storylines
- OU is making its fifth College Football Playoff appearance (as is Georgia), trailing only Alabama (nine), Clemson (seven) and Ohio State (seven).
- Oklahoma owns a 5-2-1 record against Alabama, including a 4-0 mark at campus sites (2-0 in Norman), and has won four of the last five meetings.
- Oklahoma has the opportunity to beat the Crimson Tide twice in one season and three times over a two-season span. The only team to ever have done that was Birmingham Athletic Club in 1893 and 1892-93. 1892 was Alabama’s first year playing varsity football.
- Oklahoma and Alabama are tied for the all-time national lead with their 27 seasons each of 11-plus wins.
- Tonight’s game will mark the latest home contest in the calendar year in Oklahoma’s 131-year history.
- OU is making its 27th consecutive bowl/postseason appearance, by far the longest streak in school history (the previous record was eight from the 1975-82 seasons under Switzer).
- Redshirt junior placekicker Tate Sandell is 7 for 7 on field goal tries of 50-plus yards this season.
- Forty-seven percent of Oklahoma opponent plays this season (367 of 773) have yielded one or fewer yards. Forty-one percent have gone for zero or negative yards.
- Oklahoma and Georgia are the only teams that have posted at least five wins this season against opponents ranked in the AP Top 25 at the time of competition, and OU is the only one to do it in the regular season.
- Tonight’s contest represents OU’s school-single-season-record eighth against a team ranked in the AP and/or coaches poll at the time of competition.
- Tonight’s game will pit an Oklahoma squad that has converted all 32 of its red-zone opportunities into points this season (the only FBS team with a 100% conversion rate) against an Alabama team that ranks 19th nationally by allowing opponents to score just 76.5% of the time once they reach the red zone.
- The Sooners have held eight opponents, including six of eight foes in SEC play) to 85 or fewer rushing yards, including Alabama (80 on 33 carries) on Nov. 15.
- OU had no takeaways over its first four games but has 13 over the last eight (nine over the last four).
- Since the start of the 2023 season, OU is 18-0 when it wins the turnover battle and 7-10 when it loses it.
Game Preview Posts
Odds & Predictions
Oklahoma -1.5
Over/Under 40.5
| Caleb | 24-10 Oklahoma |
| Craig | 22-16 Oklahoma |
| Matt | 23-20 Oklahoma |
| Zack | 23-17 Oklahoma |
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