Alabama Survives, Then Takes Control: Crimson Tide Defeat Oklahoma 34–24, Advance to Rose Bowl

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This one wasn’t pretty.

It wasn’t clean.

And for a long stretch, it didn’t look like it was going Alabama’s way at all.

But when the dust settled in Norman, the Crimson Tide did exactly what championship teams do: they survived the storm, flipped the switch, and took control when it mattered most.

Alabama defeated Oklahoma 34–24 on Friday night in a hard-fought first-round College Football Playoff matchup, punching its ticket to the Rose Bowl where it will face Indiana on January 1st in the second round of the College Football Playoff.

The road there, however, was anything but smooth.

Alabama struggled mightily in the first half. Missed opportunities, stalled drives, and an Oklahoma offense that found early rhythm left the Tide staring at a 17–0 deficit. Nothing came easy, and for a moment, momentum looked firmly planted on the Sooners’ sideline.

Then Alabama woke up.

A late first-half surge flipped the entire tone of the game. The offense finally found its footing, the defense tightened up, and just like that, the Crimson Tide erased a 17-point hole to knot the game at 17-17 heading into halftime, a stunning turnaround that felt like a lifeline.

From there, it was ALL Alabama.

The second half belonged to the Tide, especially on defense and through the air.

Quarterback Ty Simpson delivered one of his most composed performances of the season in the second half, finishing 18-of-29 for 232 yards and two touchdowns. Calm in the pocket and decisive with the football, Simpson punished Oklahoma’s secondary when it overcommitted and made the throws that kept Alabama in control.

Daniel Hill provided balance on the ground, carrying the ball nine times for 48 yards and a critical touchdown that helped Alabama seize momentum and never give it back.

Defensively, Alabama was relentless. The Tide recorded five sacks on Oklahoma quarterback Mateer, collapsing the pocket and forcing mistakes. Zabien Brown delivered the dagger, a pick-six that sent the Alabama sideline into a frenzy in the first half.

Oklahoma fought, but Alabama finished.

It wasn’t flawless.

It wasn’t easy.

But it was earned.

Now, the Tide turns its attention west.

Indiana awaits.

The Rose Bowl awaits.

And Alabama? Alabama is still standing, and still dangerous.

Roll Tide! 

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