Oklahoma stunned No. 7 Alabama with a decisive 24-3 victory, securing bowl eligibility and significantly diminishing the Crimson Tide’s hopes for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Xavier Robinson showcased his talent by rushing for a career-high 107 yards and scoring two touchdowns, leading the Sooners to an impressive performance on Saturday night.
Jackson Arnold contributed to the win with 131 rushing yards on 25 carries and completing 9 of 11 passes. This victory marked a pivotal moment for Oklahoma (6-5, 2-5 SEC), as it was their first Southeastern Conference home win after transitioning from the Big 12 earlier this year. Coach Brent Venables, previously under pressure, found relief on Senior Night.
With just 28 seconds left in the game, Sooners fans flooded the field, celebrating their team’s triumph by knocking down both goalposts. After the field was cleared, Oklahoma took a knee, allowing the jubilant fans to return and revel in the victory.
Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, who had been a standout player this season, faced a challenging night. He completed only 11 of 26 passes for 164 yards, throwing three interceptions, and managed just seven yards on 15 carries. The Sooners’ defense effectively limited Alabama (8-3, 4-3, No. 7 CFP) to a mere 234 total yards.
Robinson’s 18-yard touchdown run just before halftime gave Oklahoma a 10-3 lead, a score that would prove insurmountable. They outgained Alabama 242 yards to 97 in the first half, demonstrating their offensive dominance.
Milroe struggled before halftime, completing only 2 of 7 passes for 62 yards and running for negative yards. Oklahoma’s defense was relentless, outgaining Alabama 118 yards to 15 in the second quarter while controlling the ball for over 11 minutes.
The second half began with Oklahoma’s Eli Bowen intercepting Milroe and returning it 25 yards to the Alabama 14-yard line. Robinson’s subsequent 1-yard touchdown run extended the Sooners’ lead to 17-3.
In a further blow to Alabama, linebacker Kip Lewis intercepted Milroe again, returning the pick 49 yards for a touchdown, making it 24-3 with 8:05 left in the third quarter.
The Takeaway
Alabama: The Crimson Tide’s inconsistent season took a turn for the worse, as they struggled in the trenches on both offense and defense, leading to this disappointing loss.
Oklahoma: The Sooners demonstrated the power of a disciplined game plan, executing a run-heavy offense that complemented their strong defense, a strategy they successfully adopted two weeks ago against Maine.
Poll Implications
Alabama is expected to drop significantly in the rankings after this loss to an unranked opponent, despite being favored.
Up Next
Alabama: The Crimson Tide will face Auburn next Saturday.
Oklahoma: The Sooners will travel to LSU for their next matchup on Saturday.
