Oklahoma shocks No. 7 Alabama 24-3, likely dashing Tide's playoff aspirations

 No. 7 Alabama’s SEC title hopes are dashed, and their College Football Playoff chances now seem virtually impossible after a 24-3 loss at Oklahoma.

Despite being 14-point favorites, the Crimson Tide were overwhelmed by the Sooners, who capitalized on two third-quarter interceptions and relentlessly pressured Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe throughout the game.

 

Oklahoma took a 10-3 lead into halftime after scoring late in the second quarter. On Alabama’s third play of the second half, freshman cornerback Eli Bowen made his first career interception, jumping a short screen pass intended for fellow freshman Ryan Williams and returning it to the Alabama 14-yard line. Five plays later, Xavier Robinson ran in his second touchdown of the night, giving Oklahoma a 14-point lead.

Alabama's next drive ended similarly, with Milroe throwing a pick to Kip Lewis, who returned it 49 yards for a touchdown. Any remaining hope for a Tide comeback was extinguished in the fourth quarter following a controversial officiating call. Williams seemed to catch a fourth-down touchdown to cut Oklahoma’s lead to two scores, but the officials flagged the play for illegal touching, claiming Williams had been improperly covered up on the line of scrimmage. Replays, however, showed Williams was the only receiver on that side of the field, raising questions about the accuracy of the call.

 

While the officiating call raised some eyebrows, the primary reasons for Alabama’s defeat were the three turnovers and their inability to establish a run game. Oklahoma’s defense did an excellent job containing Milroe, limiting his longest run to just 11 yards. Milroe also struggled as a passer, completing only 11 of 26 attempts for 164 yards. The three points scored by Alabama marked their lowest total since 2004.

With the win, Oklahoma becomes bowl-eligible for the sixth consecutive year, extending a streak that dates back to 1998.