Alabama Stuns Oklahoma: CFP Comeback & Reaction

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NORMAN,Okla., 2024-01-06

Oklahoma’s CFP Run Ends with Lessons Learned Against Alabama

Teh Sooners showed promise under Brent Venables, but a loss to Alabama highlighted areas for growth and experience on the national stage.

• Oklahoma’s first College Football Playoff appearance since 2019 ended in defeat against Alabama.
• The Sooners dominated the first half but faltered after Alabama’s momentum shift.
• Inexperience on the big stage and composure issues contributed to the loss.
• Brent Venables’ first CFP trip as head coach revealed areas for team maturation.

Oklahoma’s season, a clear step forward under Brent Venables, concluded with a sobering loss to Alabama, exposing the growing pains still facing the program. The Sooners, despite a dominant first half, ultimately wilted under Alabama’s pressure, revealing vulnerabilities in all phases of the game. This game underscored that while Oklahoma is trending upward, closing the gap with college football’s elite requires maintaining composure and consistency throughout a contest.

Did you know? – This was Oklahoma’s first College Football Playoff game since 2019, a 48-47 loss to LSU in the Peach Bowl. The Sooners had not reached the CFP under Venables prior to this season.

First-Half Dominance Undone

The Sooners weren’t simply lucky to be ahead early; thay were thoroughly outplaying Alabama, amassing 236 yards to the Crimson Tide’s 100 in the first half. A important portion of Alabama’s yardage-75 yards-came on a single drive, which proved to be a turning point. Once Alabama gained traction, Oklahoma struggled to respond, and mistakes began to pile up. John Mateer’s pick-six, coupled with defensive struggles and special teams penalties, proved particularly damaging.

Pro tip – triumphant teams often emphasize situational awareness. Oklahoma’s inability to adjust to Alabama’s halftime adjustments suggests a need to improve in-game coaching and player adaptability.

A lack of Staying Power

Even when Oklahoma managed to briefly regain momentum, it couldn’t sustain it. The Sooners lacked the resilience to consistently answer Alabama’s scoring drives. Venables, appearing shell-shocked during the halftime interview, seemed to reflect his team’s state of mind. This wasn’t a case of a team simply being outmatched; it was a team that lost its footing when challenged.

Inexperience on the National Stage

Oklahoma has a history of competing in major postseason games under previous coaches Bob Stoops and Lincoln Riley. However, this marked Venables’ first CFP appearance since taking over in 2022, and the program’s first since 2019. While the defeat is undoubtedly disappointing, especially at home and after such a promising start, it can be viewed as a valuable learning experience. The Sooners’ inexperience on the biggest stage likely played a role in their inability to maintain composure and execute consistently.

Who: The Oklahoma Sooners, coached by Brent Venables, faced off against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

What: The College Football Playoff semifinal game ended in a 34-24 victory for Alabama, eliminating Oklahoma from championship contention.

Why: Oklahoma’s strong first-half performance was undone by a series of second-half mistakes, including a crucial pick-six and defensive lapses, coupled with Alabama’s adjustments. Inexperience on the national stage and a lack of consistent execution contributed to the loss.

How: Alabama outscored Oklahoma 24-7 in the second half, capitalizing on turnovers and penalties. The Crimson Tide’s ability to maintain composure and execute in critical situations proved to