Oklahoma Sooners Face Alabama in College Football Playoff Opener
College Football Playoff season is here, and the Oklahoma Sooners are about to make history in the new 12-team format. Ranked No. 8, the Sooners will host the Alabama Crimson Tide, who sit at No. 9, for a first-round clash at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
This game kicks off at 7 p.m. on Dec. 19, airing on both ABC and ESPN. The winner moves on to face No. 1 Indiana in the Rose Bowl on January 1.
Oklahoma’s had quite a turnaround after some mid-season stumbles. Their strong finish has fans buzzing about what could be a classic showdown.
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Oklahoma’s Road to the Playoffs
The Sooners’ path to the playoffs has been wild. They took some tough losses against Texas and Ole Miss, but then rattled off four straight wins to close the season.
Those victories came over Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri, and LSU. Not bad for a team that looked shaky halfway through the year.
Key Victories Down the Stretch
That dramatic 23-21 win over Alabama on November 15 stands out. It did wonders for their confidence and locked in their playoff spot.
Oklahoma showed they can handle the pressure, especially on the road. That resilience is hard to ignore.
Brent Venables’ Leadership
Head coach Brent Venables has been a steadying force. His strategy and focus have made a real difference.
Asked about the pressure of hosting a playoff game, Venables basically shrugged it off. He says they’ll play anywhere, and you can tell he means it.
Matchup Against Alabama
Facing Alabama is never easy. The Crimson Tide, at 10-3, bring a tough defense and a big-play offense.
Still, Oklahoma’s recent win over Bama gives them something to lean on. Maybe that edge will matter when the lights come on.
Players to Watch
Both rosters are loaded with talent. For Oklahoma, the spotlight’s on their quarterback and a group of receivers that can really stretch the field.
Alabama’s defense, though, will try to keep things under control. That matchup could decide everything.
Game Day Details
First-round action happens at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, so the Sooners get home-field advantage. Expect a wild atmosphere—Sooner fans live for nights like this.
ABC and ESPN will carry the game live, so you won’t have to miss a snap.
Looking Ahead: Potential Quarterfinal Matchup
If Oklahoma gets past Alabama, they’ll meet the top-ranked Indiana Hoosiers in the Rose Bowl on January 1. Indiana’s sitting pretty at 13-0 and hasn’t really been challenged much.
The Rose Bowl would be a huge stage for both teams. Stakes don’t get much higher than this.
Indiana’s Dominance
Indiana’s been on another level all season. Their offense and defense just seem to click, and they rarely make mistakes.
If Oklahoma makes it that far, they’ll have their hands full. But who knows—anything can happen in the playoffs.
Historical Significance
The Rose Bowl is special, plain and simple. For Oklahoma, it’s a shot at leaving their mark and chasing a national title.
The history and tradition of the Rose Bowl just make it all the more exciting.
Other Key Playoff Matchups
The expanded playoff has set up some pretty fun games. Here are a few others worth watching:
- No. 12 James Madison at No. 5 Oregon: 6:30 p.m. CT on December 20, TNT.
- No. 11 Tulane at No. 6 Ole Miss: 2:30 p.m. CT on December 20, TNT.
- No. 10 Miami at No. 7 Texas A&M: 11 a.m. CT on December 20, ESPN.
Quarterfinal Matchups
- Rose Bowl: No. 1 Indiana vs. winner of No. 8 Oklahoma/No. 9 Alabama, 3 p.m. CT on January 1 (ESPN).
- Cotton Bowl: No. 2 Ohio State vs. winner of No. 7 Texas A&M/No. 10 Miami, 6:30 p.m. CT on December 31 (ESPN).
- Sugar Bowl: No. 3 Georgia vs. winner of No. 6 Ole Miss/No. 11 Tulane, 7 p.m. CT on January 1 (ESPN).
- Orange Bowl: No. 4 Texas Tech vs. winner of No. 5 Oregon/No. 12 James Madison, 11 a.m. CT on January 1 (ESPN).
Conclusion: A Season to Remember
This year’s College Football Playoff looks like it could be one for the books. With the expanded format, fans get a wild lineup of high-stakes games and powerhouse teams.
Oklahoma’s path to the playoffs hasn’t exactly been smooth, but they’ve shown grit and plenty of heart. Facing Alabama next, the Sooners are fired up and hoping to make a serious push.
For updates and all the latest on Oklahoma’s playoff run, check out The Oklahoman. If you want to keep up with every twist and turn, that’s the place to be.
