Kirk Herbstreit Names Major College Football Program Haunted by ‘Oh No’ Moments
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The 2025 College Football Playoff has begun, with the first round of games completed.
The No. 8 seed Oklahoma Sooners (10-3) went up against the No. 9 seed Alabama Crimson Tide (11-3) in a rematch of a regular-season game that Oklahoma won in Tuscaloosa. The Sooners quickly established dominance in the game, jumping out to a 17-0 lead and looking strong for a potential blowout victory.
The atmosphere in the stadium was electric as the Crimson Tide began to mount a comeback. A pivotal moment in the game occurred with just over four minutes remaining in the second quarter. Oklahoma was leading 17-7 and faced a crucial third-and-3 situation from their own 47-yard line.
Quarterback John Mateer managed to escape a sack and appeared ready to run for a first down. Instead, he threw a pass downfield to running back Xavier Robinson, who had an opportunity to score but dropped the ball, resulting in a punt.
During the punt, punter Grayson Miller dropped the ball, allowing Alabama to take over in Oklahoma territory. The Sooners managed to hold Alabama to a field goal, bringing the score to 17-10. On the next possession, Mateer threw a pick-six, which tied the game at 17 by halftime. Ultimately, Alabama went on to win the game 34-24.
Kirk Herbstreit revealed on the “Nonstop” podcast that Oklahoma seems to be plagued by unfortunate “oh no” moments.
“Oklahoma as a program has that ‘oh gosh,’ kind of vibe about them,” Herbstreit said. “Even though they were up 17, 17-7, the punter drops the ball and just knowing some buddies of mine who are Oklahoma fans, I think they’re just like, ‘Oh no, not again.’ It’s like they just have memories over the last 10 years that have just kind of flipped against them.”
The loss immediately reignited frustration among Oklahoma fans, many of whom felt the turning point coming before it fully unfolded. What began as a commanding performance quickly morphed into a sequence of miscues that allowed Alabama to seize control. The momentum swing not only altered the game’s outcome but reinforced a narrative that has lingered around the program for nearly a decade.
From a broader standpoint, Herbstreit’s comments reflect a growing consensus among fans that Oklahoma’s biggest obstacle isn’t talent or preparation, but composure in defining moments. Similar breakdowns in high-leverage games have repeatedly derailed promising seasons, creating a psychological hurdle as much as a tactical one.
Looking ahead, the Sooners now face offseason questions about how to eliminate those self-inflicted wounds as they continue navigating life in the expanded playoff era. Until Oklahoma proves it can close games cleanly on the biggest stage, the “oh no” moments Herbstreit referenced will remain part of the program’s national perception, fair or not.
Related: Paul Finebaum Names Major College Football Program That Didn’t Look Like a Playoff Team
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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