Oklahoma shocks Alabama to stay in College Football Playoff hunt

Fourth-seeded Alabama did not directly call the matchup against No. 11 Oklahoma a revenge game, but the Crimson Tide was once again ranked for loss on Saturday.

After defeating Alabama 24-3 in Norman last year, the Sooners travel to Tuscaloosa this weekend to improve their College Football Playoff chances. Oklahoma ultimately did just that, defeating Alabama 23-21.

Even the raucous crowd at Bryant-Denny Stadium couldn’t dissuade Oklahoma’s defense from its playmaking tendencies. Sooners defenders combined for 17 points with three turnovers en route to the win.

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The win improves Oklahoma’s playoff chances, but it also adds uncertainty to the Tide’s path to Atlanta for the Southeastern Conference championship game. It probably won’t be a fatal blow for Alabama, but the Tide now faces a must-win game against archrival Auburn in the Iron Bowl in two weeks.

Sooners linebacker Eli Bowen returned an interception 87 yards for a touchdown, while linebacker Kip Lewis had two sacks. OU ended Alabama’s 17-game home winning streak and handed second-year coach Kalen DeBoer his first loss in Tuscaloosa.

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The Sooners were a team on the bubble in last week’s CFP rankings, but Saturday’s win could turn them into a playoff lock if they can take care of business at home against Missouri and LSU.

The Oklahoma Sooners celebrate their 23-21 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on November 15, 2025. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Alabama had a chance late, but Ty Simpson’s fourth-down pass to Ryan Williams fell incomplete.

Oklahoma ran out the clock and the visiting fans broke out in a jubilant celebration. OU held Alabama to 57 yards on its final four drives, which proved to be the difference.

Jam Miller (26) of the Alabama Crimson Tide is intercepted by Peyton Bowen (22) and Owen Heinecke (38) of the Oklahoma Sooners while carrying the ball during the game at Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on November 15, 2025. (Butch Dill/Getty Images)

John Mateer led Oklahoma’s offense with 138 yards receiving and a touchdown on the ground. Simpson passed for 326 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

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Despite excelling in nearly every category, Alabama made a number of mistakes that proved costly. Along with the turnovers, Alabama missed a 36-yard field goal and allowed a 46-yard punt return, setting up Oklahoma’s first score.

The Crimson Tide will host Eastern Illinois next week.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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