Alabama produced one of the most dramatic turnarounds of this year’s College Football Playoff, overturning a 17-point deficit to defeat Oklahoma 34–24 in Norman on Friday night.
The victory sends the Crimson Tide into the quarter-finals and brings an abrupt end to Oklahoma’s recent dominance in this fiercely contested matchup.
For UK sports fans who may be less familiar with the scale of American college football, this was a heavyweight clash between two historic programmes, played in front of a partisan crowd and under immense national pressure.
How Did Oklahoma Build Such a Big Early Lead?
Oklahoma could hardly have asked for a better opening quarter. The Sooners dominated possession, tempo, and field position, outgaining Alabama 118 yards to just 12 in the opening period.
That control translated into points when kicker Tate Sandell drilled a superb 51-yard field goal into a stiff wind, extending his remarkable streak and putting Oklahoma ahead 10–0.
Early in the second quarter, quarterback John Mateer found Isaiah Sategna with a six-yard touchdown pass, pushing the lead to 17–0 and sending the home crowd into full voice.
At that stage, Alabama looked rattled, having gone three-and-out on its first three offensive drives.
What Changed the Momentum of the Game?
The turning point came midway through the second quarter when Alabama finally found rhythm in its attack.
Quarterback Ty Simpson connected with freshman receiver Lotzeir Brooks for a 10-yard touchdown, giving Alabama belief and cutting the deficit to ten points.
How about Alabama Freshmen Lotzeir Brooks no touchdowns all year now he’s got 2 in the College Football Playoff brightest moment crazy adjustment this how legends are born. pic.twitter.com/tC2LqqZCqA
— Global Utopia Sports (@GL8BAL_SPORTS) December 20, 2025
Moments later, the game swung decisively. Mateer threw an interception that was read perfectly by Alabama defender Zabien Brown, who returned the ball 50 yards for a touchdown.
In the space of a few minutes, Oklahoma’s comfortable lead had vanished, with the score level at 17–17 going into halftime.
That defensive score proved psychologically damaging for the Sooners and energised Alabama on both sides of the ball.
Why Was Lotzeir Brooks So Important for Alabama?
Freshman Lotzeir Brooks delivered the standout performance of the night. Having failed to score a single touchdown during the regular season, Brooks crossed the line twice against Oklahoma, finishing with five receptions for 79 yards, both season highs.
Early in the third quarter, Brooks struck again with a 30-yard touchdown reception, giving Alabama their first lead of the game.
ALABAMA COMES BACK FROM DOWN 17 TO BEAT OKLAHOMA
That’s tied for the largest comeback in CFP history pic.twitter.com/4CbJWiuFwk
— ESPN (@espn) December 20, 2025
Simpson, who finished with 232 passing yards and two touchdowns, showed composure well beyond his experience level as Alabama tightened its grip on proceedings.
A 40-yard field goal later in the third quarter extended Alabama’s advantage to 27–17 and underlined how completely the momentum had shifted.
Where Did the Game Slip Away for Oklahoma?
Oklahoma responded early in the fourth quarter when Deion Burks hauled in a 37-yard touchdown pass from Mateer, narrowing the gap to just three points. At 27–24, the contest was finely balanced and still there for the taking.
However, the Sooners were undone by missed opportunities. Sandell, who had earlier tied an FBS single-season record for most successful field goals from 50 yards or more, surprisingly missed from 36 yards with under three minutes remaining.
He then missed again from 51 yards late on, bringing his previously flawless run to a sudden end.
Those misses allowed Alabama to close out the game and seal a comeback that had looked unlikely just an hour earlier.
What Does This Result Mean for the College Football Playoff?
This win marks Alabama’s first College Football Playoff appearance under head coach Kalen DeBoer, who took charge after arriving from Washington two years ago.
The Crimson Tide improved to an 11–3 record and now moves on to face No.1 seed Indiana in the quarter-finals.
That next clash will take place at the iconic Rose Bowl in California on 1 January, where Alabama will come up against Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, widely regarded as one of the most exciting players in college football this season.
See you in Pasadena pic.twitter.com/zKjVgmBhbB
— Yea Alabama (@yea_ala) December 20, 2025
For Oklahoma, the loss ends the campaign at 10–3 and snaps a short but significant winning streak over Alabama, having beaten them twice since November last year.
Alabama overturned a 17-point deficit to defeat Oklahoma 34–24 in a gripping College Football Playoff opener.
A momentum-shifting interception return and a breakout performance from freshman Lotzeir Brooks proved decisive.
Oklahoma’s strong start was undone by missed field goals at crucial moments. The result sends Alabama to the Rose Bowl for a quarter-final showdown with top-seeded Indiana. For Oklahoma, it was a painful end to a season that promised much more.
American college football continues to gain traction among UK sports fans through increased television and streaming coverage.
Matches like Alabama versus Oklahoma showcase the drama, intensity, and high stakes that define the sport, particularly during the playoff stages, and explain why these games attract millions of viewers across the Atlantic.
The arrival of promising players such as Calvin Russell III, who recently delayed his Syracuse signing decision, adds further excitement and storylines for fans to follow in the coming months.
