3 stars from the Oklahoma Sooners' win over the Alabama Crimson Tide

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3 stars from the Oklahoma Sooners' win over the Alabama Crimson Tide

The Oklahoma Sooners got a statement win on Saturday in Week 12, as OU defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa. The Sooners won 23-21 on the road to improve to 8-2 overall and 4-2 in the SEC in 2025. In a game they had to have if they wanted to make the College Football Playoff, Oklahoma did enough to get out of Bryant-Denny Stadium with a victory.

The Sooners won despite not playing great offensive football and allowing a lot of yards to the Tide. However, just like two weeks ago against Tennessee, OU proved they are a hard team to kill, especially when the defense is opportunistic and forcing takeaways.

Oklahoma saw the emergence of some names on defense that don't always get the headlines in this win. Without R Mason Thomas and Gentry Williams, and with Jayden Jackson and Kobie McKinzie playing but limited with injuries, OU's defense played gutsy football to get the win.

Here are three stars from OU's big-time win over Bama.

1. Taylor Wein, DL

Sep 13, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Taylor Wein (44) in action against the Temple Owls in the first half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Taylor Wein stepped up in a big way in Thomas' absence. He shouldered the load at defensive end, and he made one of the game's biggest plays in the second half. Wein got a strip-sack on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson that led to the go-ahead field goal that ultimately made the difference. Wein wasn't a starter at the beginning of this year, but he's now one of the most important players on OU's team. The Sooners don't win this game without Wein.

2. Kip Lewis, LB

Nov 15, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kip Lewis (10) pressures Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) during the first half at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images

Kip Lewis was pivotal to OU's win, playing sideline to sideline at his inside linebacker position. His motor never stops running, and he is the emotional heart and soul of Oklahoma's defense. He had seven tackles and two sacks, including a huge one on Alabama's final drive that put the Tide way behind the chains, ultimately leading to a fourth-down stop that sealed the game. For the second-straight year, Lewis was instrumental in an upset win over Bama.

3. The Bowen Brothers

Nov 15, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Peyton Bowen (22) closes in to make a tackle on Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Isaiah Horton (1) at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

Defensive backs Peyton and Eli Bowen played incredible football games against Alabama. Peyton has really improved in 2025 in the back end of OU's defense at safety, and he made a remarkable play in coverage on the game's final defensive play, thwarting Alabama's last chance. Of course, Eli made one of the game's biggest plays at cornerback, intercepting a Simpson pass when the Tide were moving it, and then returning it 87 yards for a touchdown. The Bowen brothers etched their last name into one of the biggest wins for the Sooners in a long time.

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: 3 stars for the Sooners in the win over the Crimson Tide

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