Alabama Stuns Oklahoma With Historic Comeback to Reach CFP Quarterfinals

Crimson Tide erase 17-point deficit, rally past Sooners in College Football Playoff opener

Alabama delivered one of the most dramatic comebacks in College Football Playoff history, erasing a 17-point deficit to defeat Oklahoma 34–24 on Friday night and secure a spot in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal against No. 1 Indiana.
The No. 9 Crimson Tide scored 27 unanswered points, matching the largest comeback ever in CFP play, and snapping a long-standing trend under head coach Kalen DeBoer, who had not previously won a game when trailing by double digits at Alabama.

Alabama Breaks Through When It Matters Most

Down 17–0 early in the second quarter at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Alabama appeared on the brink of another postseason disappointment. Instead, something finally clicked.
“This game was going to come back to us,” DeBoer said.
“If you keep fighting, something’s going to happen. And that’s what happened tonight.”
The victory marked:
• Alabama’s first comeback win when trailing by 10+ points under DeBoer
• The end of a six-game losing streak in such situations
• A historic road win in a College Football Playoff environment

Momentum Shift: The Five-Minute Stretch That Changed Everything

Alabama’s comeback ignited midway through the second quarter:
• Lotzeir Brooks sparked the rally with a key third-down gain, then turned a fourth-down play into a 10-yard touchdown
• Oklahoma punter Grayson Miller dropped the ball, leading to a blocked punt recovered by Tim Keenan III
• Zabien Brown delivered the knockout blow with a 50-yard pick-six, baiting Sooners QB John Mateer
In under five minutes, Alabama went from down 17–0 to tied at 17, completely flipping the game’s momentum.
Ty Simpson Leads Alabama’s Poised Response
Quarterback Ty Simpson remained calm throughout the rally, delivering:
• A 30-yard TD pass to Brooks early in the third quarter
• A 35-yard touchdown drive late in the fourth after a short Oklahoma punt
“We just kept saying, ‘Keep going,’” Simpson said.
“That’s been our message all season.”
After the win, Simpson jogged off the field with a rose in his mouth, already embracing the underdog role ahead of the Rose Bowl matchup.
Oklahoma’s Home Streak Snapped
The loss was especially painful for the Sooners, who had:
• Won 27 straight home games when leading by double digits
• Benefited historically from CFP teams being 1–28 all-time when trailing by 17+ points
Alabama’s resilience shattered both trends.
A Season Defined by Urgency
Alabama’s 2025 season has been turbulent, beginning with a shocking road loss at Florida State and including:
• A 28–7 loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game
• Multiple slow starts and missed opportunities
Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said the team has embraced a win-or-go-home mentality ever since.
“Our players won this game with sheer will,” Wommack said.

What’s Next: Rose Bowl vs No. 1 Indiana

Alabama now advances to face undefeated Indiana in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal, once again playing the underdog role — and embracing it.
“You’ve got fighters. Punchers,” Wommack said.
“That wasn’t who we were a year ago.”