On a cold, windy night, the Oklahoma Sooners upset the Alabama Crimson Tide. When you think of Sooners football this year, you don’t imagine them standing toe to toe with the No.7 team in the nation. However, just as the year is wrapping up, the Sooners have been given a new lease on life.
Oklahoma Sooners Upset Alabama Crimson Tide, 24-3
Oklahoma Playing to Strengths
Head coach Brent Venables has had no shortage of struggles this year. One of the biggest obstacles to success has been a lackluster offense. After firing Seth Littrell, there was hope that Joe Jon Finley could put together something better. It’s taken quite a few weeks, but against Alabama, it seems Finley finally began figuring things out.
Throughout the season, the Sooners have stubbornly held on to the idea that they were still an Air Raid team. Even against Missouri, Venables and Finley were routinely sabotaging themselves by calling for passing plays. Finally, though, there’s been a change. Instead of asking Jackson Arnold to throw the ball, they’ve been giving him every opportunity to do what he does best. Arnold spent the first half slipping past the Alabama defense for short, but consistent, gains.
When freshman running back Xavier Robinson was given the ball, the momentum truly began swinging in Oklahoma’s favor. While Arnold could burst through the line for short gains, Robinson was slicing up the Alabama defense. This was best capped off when Robinson broke free for an eighteen-yard touchdown with just forty-five seconds to go in the first half. By halftime, the Oklahoma Sooners were up 10 to 3 in a surprisingly competitive game.
Sooner Defense Steps Up
Another shocking positive was the Sooners’ defense. A season-long decline in quality has given opponents easy wins in otherwise contestable matchups. If they’ve been saving their energy to hold back the Crimson Tide, it was worth it.
At halftime, the stats were unbelievable. Oklahoma had 242 total yards of offense—higher than the total yards against South Carolina, Texas, and Tennessee—and this is only in the first half. Alabama, for comparison, had only 35 yards on the ground and 62 via passes. That’s just 97 total yards of offense against the Sooners’ defense.
Kip Lewis, once again, is proving himself to be an MVP when it comes to interceptions. As Alabama was gaining momentum in the third quarter, Lewis snatched a Jalen Milroe pass and ran it back for a pick-six. This not only avoided an Alabama touchdown but widened the gap for Oklahoma as well.
Second Half Insanity
While everyone, even in Norman, had virtually given up hope, Venables and the Sooners clearly had not. The level of fight that Oklahoma brought was jaw-dropping. Where some teams dip in the second half, Oklahoma seemingly only became stronger.
Eli Bowen intercepted a Milroe pass to end the Crimson Tide’s first offensive drive of the third quarter. Arnold, Robinson, and Jacob Jordan took full advantage. Then the aforementioned Lewis pick-six widened the gap again. At 24 to 3, with Alabama held scoreless since the first quarter, it was a wild time to be in Norman.
The energy in Gaylord Memorial Stadium was enough to knock Alabama off kilter. Numerous miscommunications between Kalen DeBoer and Milroe led to confusion on the Crimson Tide line. The dysfunction spread to the offense and defense alike. More interceptions, more penalties, and a Milroe injury officially put Alabama out of the game before the fourth quarter was even over.
By The Numbers
The last time Alabama failed to get even a single touchdown was eleven years ago. It’s time to reset the clock on that, because Oklahoma’s defense just held them essentially scoreless tonight. Milroe completes 11 of 26 passes for 164 yards and three interceptions. The Crimson Tide is leaving Norman with only 234 total yards of offense and twenty-six minutes of possession time.
Oklahoma can finally hold its head high. Arnold completed 9 of 11 passes for 68 yards. The Sooners held down the fort with 328 total yards of offense and 34 minutes of possession time.
Oklahoma Upsets Alabama- But What’s Next?
Oklahoma upsets Alabama in a wild, wild game. In a moment when they needed it most, Venables and the Sooners gave it their all. The search for a new offensive coordinator, and the 2025 recruiting campaign, have suddenly been given a new lease on life thanks to Oklahoma’s upset over Alabama.
So, where do Oklahoma and Venables go from here? It’s simple: The Sooners go to a bowl game and head into the final game of the season with massive momentum. For a shaky LSU, it’s time to watch out. For Sports Events Guide, it means that its time to take a second look at what’s going to happen for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2025. Be sure to check back in weekly for everything you need to know in preparation for Oklahoma’s second season in the SEC.
