Oklahoma vs Alabama: College Football Playoff Showdown Time and TV Details

No. 9 Alabama pulled off a wild comeback to beat No. 8 Oklahoma 34-24 in the first round of the 2025 College Football Playoff.

The Crimson Tide were down 17-0 midway through the second quarter, but then rattled off 27 unanswered points to take over. Alabama moves on to play No. 1 Indiana in the Rose Bowl on January 1.

This game had everything—big plays, gutsy defense, special teams drama. It was a heck of a way to kick off the playoffs.

Alabama’s Rocky Start and Oklahoma’s Early Dominance

Oklahoma came out swinging, jumping to a commanding lead while Alabama stumbled out of the gate. Quarterback John Mateer scored on an 8-yard run, then hit Isaiah Sategna III for a 7-yard touchdown pass.

By the middle of the second quarter, it was 17-0 Sooners. Alabama’s offense looked completely stuck, managing just 12 yards on its first three drives.

Oklahoma’s Strong Opening

The Sooners’ offense clicked early, but their defense was even better. Oklahoma’s pass rush and seventh-ranked scoring defense showed up, holding Alabama’s running game to negative yards in the first half.

That defensive dominance wasn’t out of nowhere—they allowed just 13.92 points per game in the regular season and led the nation with 41 sacks. Pretty impressive, honestly.

The Tide Turns: Alabama’s Resilient Comeback

But Alabama didn’t stay down for long. Late in the second quarter, Ty Simpson finally got the offense moving with a nine-play, 75-yard drive.

He finished it off with a 10-yard touchdown to Lotzeir Brooks. That was the spark they needed.

Oklahoma’s special teams suddenly fell apart. A botched snap by punter Grayson Miller set up an Alabama field goal.

Then Zabien Brown picked off Mateer and took it 50 yards to the house. Just like that, it was 17-17 at halftime.

Key Plays and Momentum Shift

The game flipped on a few huge moments:

• Ty Simpson’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Lotzeir Brooks.
• Blocked punt after Grayson Miller’s dropped snap.
• Zabien Brown’s 50-yard pick-six to tie it up before halftime.

Those plays pumped up Alabama and really took the wind out of Oklahoma’s sails.

Second Half: Alabama Takes Control

Alabama grabbed its first lead early in the third quarter. Simpson found Brooks again, this time for a 30-yard touchdown.

That put the Tide up 24-17. Oklahoma answered with a 37-yard touchdown from Mateer to Deion Burks, trimming it to 27-24.

But Alabama wasn’t rattled. Daniel Hill punched in a 6-yard rushing touchdown after Germie Bernard’s circus catch, pushing the lead to 34-24.

Crucial Drives and Defensive Stands

In the second half, Alabama’s big moments stood out:

• Simpson’s 30-yard touchdown pass to Brooks.
• Daniel Hill’s 6-yard rushing score after Bernard’s highlight grab.
• Defensive stands that shut down Oklahoma, including two missed field goals by Lou Groza Award winner Tate Sandell in the last three minutes.

Alabama just kept making plays when it counted. That’s what turned the tide for good.

Looking Ahead: Alabama vs. Indiana

Next up, Alabama faces No. 1 Indiana in the Rose Bowl on January 1. That’s a tall order.

If they want to hang with Indiana’s top-ranked squad, they’ll need to keep that second-half magic going. Simpson’s passing attack has to stay sharp, and the defense—especially the secondary—can’t let up.

Challenges and Opportunities

There’s plenty for Alabama to work on before Indiana:

• Staying consistent on offense—no more slow starts.
• Keeping the defensive edge to slow down Indiana’s scoring.
• Special teams—if Indiana slips up, Alabama’s got to take advantage.

Conclusion

Alabama’s comeback against Oklahoma was something to see. Their resilience really stood out, especially when things got tense.

The Crimson Tide pulled off some smart plays. Their defense stepped up, and special teams made a difference when it mattered.

Next up, they’ve got No. 1 Indiana in the Rose Bowl. That’s a big challenge, and honestly, they’ll have to dig even deeper if they want to keep that championship dream alive.

Want a full breakdown or more details? Check out the official NCAA site.