
The No. 7 Alabama Crimson Tide (8-3, 4-3 Southeastern Conference) were defeated by the Oklahoma Sooners (6-5, 2-5) 24-3 in Norman, Okla. on Nov. 23. By utilizing a strong run game and stout defense, the Sooners handed the Tide their third loss of the season, eliminating Alabama from the SEC Championship race and likely barring the Tide from the College Football Playoff.
Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold ran for 131 yards and running back Xavier Robison added 107 yards to the rushing total. The Oklahoma defense contained quarterback Jalen Milroe while utilizing the QB run game offensively. In other words, the Sooners played Alabama's style of football better than the Tide could.
Game Summary
The game was a defensive battle in the first half. Oklahoma scored the game's first touchdown late in the second quarter to take a 10-3 lead. The Sooners dominated the Tide in the second half, outscoring them 14-0 en route to a three-touchdown victory.
There was some controversy when a touchdown by Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams was called back on a procedural penalty that even the announcers felt was suspect. While the call likely did not affect the game's outcome, it highlighted the officiating struggles plaguing the SEC this year.
Turning Point for Oklahoma
The atmosphere of the game shifted late in the first half when Oklahoma RB Xavier Robinson ran for an 18-yard touchdown to capitalize on a 12-play, 67-yard drive to take a 10-3 lead with 0:37 left in the second quarter. The score gave Oklahoma their first lead in the game and gave the Sooners the confidence they needed to lead a dominant second half en route to the massive victory over the Tide.
What it Means
Oklahoma continues its streak of bowl eligibility while knocking off an SEC power in its inaugural year in the league. Oklahoma came into this game with nothing to lose and ended up making the biggest splash possible. The Sooners will face LSU (7-4, 4-3) in Baton Rouge on Nov. 30.
Alabama is eliminated from the SEC Championship contention and likely from the College Football Playoff. Kalen DeBoer has done a fine job as Alabama's new head coach but has not done quite enough to make the playoffs. Alabama's next game is against in-state rival Auburn (5-6, 2-5) in the Iron Bowl on Nov. 30 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
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