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Fourth-ranked Alabama didn’t outright label the showdown against No. 11 Oklahoma a revenge game, but the Crimson Tide once again ended up in the loss column Saturday.
After defeating Alabama 24-3 in Norman last year, the Sooners traveled to Tuscaloosa this weekend looking to bolster their College Football Playoff chances. Oklahoma ultimately did just that, pulling off a 23-21 upset of Alabama.
Even a raucous Bryant-Denny Stadium crowd failed to derail Oklahoma’s defense from its playmaking trend. The Sooners’ defenders produced 17 points off three turnovers en route to the victory.
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The Oklahoma Sooners celebrate after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. (David Leong/Imagn Images)
The win boosts Oklahoma’s playoff odds but also injects uncertainty into the Tide’s path to Atlanta for the Southeastern Conference title game. It probably won’t be a fatal blow for Alabama, but the Tide now face a must-win in two weeks against archrival Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
Sooners defensive back Eli Bowen returned an interception 87 yards for a touchdown, while linebacker Kip Lewis had two sacks. OU snapped Alabama’s 17-game home winning streak and handed second-year coach Kalen DeBoer his first loss in Tuscaloosa.
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The Sooners were a bubble team in last week’s CFP rankings, but Saturday’s win could make them a playoff lock if they can take care of business at home against Missouri and LSU.
The Oklahoma Sooners celebrate their 23-21 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Nov. 15, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Alabama had a chance late, but Ty Simpson’s fourth-down pass to Ryan Williams fell incomplete.
Oklahoma ran out the clock from there, setting off a spirited celebration by its visiting fans. OU held Alabama to 57 yards over its final four drives, which proved to be the difference.
Jam Miller (26 ) of the Alabama Crimson Tide is stopped by Peyton Bowen (22) and Owen Heinecke (38) of the Oklahoma Sooners as he carries the ball during a game at Bryant Denny Stadium on Nov. 15, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Butch Dill/Getty Images)
John Mateer threw for 138 yards and scored on the ground to lead Oklahoma’s offense. Simpson passed for 326 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
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Despite dominating in nearly every category, Alabama made a series of errors which proved costly. In addition to the turnovers, Alabama missed a 36-yard field goal and allowed a 46-yard punt return that set up Oklahoma’s first score.
The Crimson Tide host Eastern Illinois next week.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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