Alabama Eliminates Oklahoma with Historic 34-24 College Football Playoff Comeback

Alabama shocked Oklahoma with a stunning 17-point comeback to win 34-24 in the College Football Playoff and advance to the Rose Bowl.

Alabama Stuns Oklahoma in CFP First-Round Thriller

The College Football Playoff delivered a shocking twist on Friday night as No. 9 Alabama erased a 17-point deficit to defeat No. 8 Oklahoma 34-24, ending the Sooners’ season in dramatic fashion at Gaylord Family–Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman.

What started as a dominant Oklahoma performance quickly turned into one of the most memorable comebacks in CFP history, as the Crimson Tide rattled off 27 unanswered points to flip the game and punch their ticket to the Rose Bowl quarterfinal against No. 1 Indiana.

Oklahoma’s Fast Start Put Alabama on the Brink

Oklahoma came out firing on both sides of the ball, stunning Alabama early and building a 17-0 lead midway through the second quarter. Quarterback John Mateer was sharp, finding open receivers and using his legs to keep drives alive.

The Sooners’ defense also looked locked in, forcing multiple three-and-outs and controlling the tempo in front of a roaring home crowd. At that point, Alabama appeared to be heading toward another disappointing playoff exit.

But momentum can change quickly in college football.

The Turning Point: Alabama’s Explosive Second Quarter

Everything shifted late in the second quarter.

Alabama finally broke through when quarterback Ty Simpson connected with Lotzeir Brooks on a crucial fourth-down play. Brooks broke multiple tackles and scored, giving the Crimson Tide their first touchdown of the night.

Moments later, Oklahoma made a costly mistake on special teams when punter Grayson Miller dropped the ball, setting Alabama up with excellent field position. A field goal trimmed the lead to 17-10.

Then came the play that changed the game.

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer threw a pass directly into the hands of Alabama defensive back Zabien Brown, who returned it 50 yards for a pick-six. In a matter of minutes, Alabama had completely erased the deficit, sending both teams into halftime tied at 17-17.

Second-Half Surge: Alabama Takes Control

Alabama carried its momentum into the second half, taking its first lead of the game early in the third quarter when Simpson hit Brooks again—this time for a 30-yard touchdown.

Despite being outgained statistically, Alabama made the most of its opportunities. Kicker Conor Talty added a 40-yard field goal to extend the lead to 27-17 heading into the fourth quarter.

Oklahoma briefly answered when Mateer found Deion Burks for a long touchdown, cutting the deficit to 27-24 and reigniting hope among the home crowd.

That hope didn’t last long.

Daniel Hill Seals the Win

With pressure mounting, Alabama leaned on the ground game. Running back Daniel Hill delivered the knockout blow with a 6-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter, restoring a two-score lead at 34-24.

Oklahoma had chances to close the gap late, but missed field goals and stalled drives sealed the Sooners’ fate. Alabama kneeled out the final seconds to complete the comeback.

Key Player Performances

Alabama Crimson Tide

• Ty Simpson: 18-of-29, 232 yards, 2 TDs
• Lotzeir Brooks: 5 catches, 79 yards, 2 TDs
• Daniel Hill: 9 carries, 43 yards, 1 TD

Oklahoma Sooners

• John Mateer: 26-of-41, 307 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
• Deion Burks: 7 receptions, 107 yards, 1 TD

What’s Next for Both Teams

With the win, Alabama advances to the Rose Bowl, where they will face top-ranked and undefeated Indiana in the quarterfinals. Riding the momentum of a historic comeback, the Crimson Tide once again embrace the underdog role.

For Oklahoma, the loss ends a strong season with a 10-3 record. Despite the heartbreaking finish, hosting a College Football Playoff game marked a significant milestone for the program.

This shocking comeback will be remembered as a defining moment of the 2025 College Football Playoff. Alabama’s resilience, timely defense, and ability to capitalize on mistakes proved decisive, while Oklahoma will be left wondering what might have been.

College football, once again, delivered pure drama on the biggest stage.