Alabama’s Path to College Football Playoff After Oklahoma Defeat
Alabama football’s recent loss to Oklahoma has created a stir among fans and analysts. Under head coach Kalen DeBoer, the Crimson Tide experienced their first home defeat, falling 23-21 to the Sooners.
This loss dropped Alabama to an 8-2 record for the 2025 season. It’s got folks wondering—are their College Football Playoff (CFP) hopes still alive?
The path isn’t closed, but it’s definitely gotten steeper. Let’s take a closer look at where Alabama stands now and what it’ll actually take for them to grab a CFP spot.
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Alabama’s Season So Far
The 2025 season has been a rollercoaster for Alabama. They opened with a Week 1 loss to Florida State but managed to bounce back with a string of wins.
That recent home loss to Oklahoma, though, really stung. It was Alabama’s first home defeat since Week 2 of the 2023 season, which makes it feel even heavier for DeBoer.
Impact of the Oklahoma Loss
Oklahoma seems to have Alabama’s number lately—they ended the Tide’s playoff hopes last season, too. Now, at 8-2, Alabama has to regroup fast and win out if they want to keep their playoff dreams from slipping away.
The defeat knocked them down in the CFP rankings. Every game from here on out feels like it’s do-or-die.
Challenges Ahead
Alabama’s path to the CFP is full of obstacles. Their performance on the road has been shaky, and the schedule isn’t forgiving.
The Iron Bowl against Auburn is looming, and honestly, games at Jordan-Hare Stadium never go as planned. Alabama’s away-game struggles under DeBoer aren’t helping their case.
Upcoming Games
They’ve got a buy game against Eastern Illinois coming up, which shouldn’t be a problem (famous last words, right?). But the real test is the Iron Bowl showdown with Auburn.
That rivalry game could make or break their season. If Alabama wants to stay in the playoff conversation, they have to win out. No way around it.
CFP Selection Metrics
Last year, Alabama missed the CFP even with a strong resume. That snub actually led to tweaks in the selection process.
The CFP committee now puts more weight on strength of schedule. This shift could help Alabama, since the SEC is always a gauntlet.
Strength of Schedule
Alabama’s schedule has been rough, with top-tier opponents like Florida State and Oklahoma. The Week 1 loss to Florida State looked bad at first, but as the Seminoles faded, it didn’t sting quite as much.
All things considered, Alabama’s overall strength of schedule is still a plus. That could be a big factor when the committee makes its picks.
What Needs to Change
If Alabama wants a CFP spot, they’ve got to fix a few things. Road performances need a serious upgrade, and winning under pressure is non-negotiable.
The coaching staff and players have to focus on cutting down mistakes and sticking to the game plan. It’s easy to say, harder to do.
Areas of Improvement
- Road Performance: Alabama’s away games have been rough. Turning that around is key.
- Minimizing Mistakes: They’ve got to clean up the errors—no more shooting themselves in the foot.
- Focus and Preparation: Mental prep for big games, especially the Iron Bowl, can’t be overlooked.
The Path Forward
Alabama’s still got a shot at the CFP, but it’s a narrow one. Winning out, especially against Auburn, is absolutely crucial.
They’ll also need a little luck with how other top teams finish. With the new selection metrics, Alabama’s tough schedule might just tip the scales—if they finish strong.
Alabama’s loss to Oklahoma has definitely made things harder for their CFP hopes. Still, it’s not over yet.
If they can fix what went wrong and win out, there’s a shot at making the 12-team playoff. Nobody’s pretending it’ll be easy, but the Crimson Tide has some serious talent and grit.
Want more on Alabama’s playoff chances and what their loss means? Check out the full article on AL.com.
