How Alabama football grades out in SEC dogfight loss to Oklahoma

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One season after falling to Oklahoma in Norman, the Sooners gave Alabama football another dogfight.

This time, in a ranked SEC matchup, one at the center of the college football world and one with massive College Football Playoff implications, Alabama fell short, handing Kalen DeBoer his first home loss in his Crimson Tide career as Oklahoma beat Alabama 23-21 at Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday, Nov. 15.

Alabama will face Eastern Illinois in its final home game of the 2025 season Saturday, Nov. 22, before ending the regular season on the road against Auburn.

Here's how Alabama graded out against Oklahoma:

Alabama football offense: D

The same Alabama offense showed up against Oklahoma: the one-dimensional passing game paired with a run game that saw improvement, thanks to Daniel Hill, but still looked to be an afterthought. The brunt of production was on Ty Simpson’s shoulders — and Simpson hurt Alabama, from his second interception of the season, which was returned 87 yards for a score, to a strip sack that eventually gave the Sooners a slim lead. And when Alabama needed Simpson most, Simpson failed to step up.

Alabama defense: A

The Alabama defense did all it could. The Crimson Tide stifled Oklahoma's offense. The Sooners scored one offensive touchdown: a 20-yard John Mateer run. The other touchdown? One secured on Simpson's pick six. The other points? Off three field goals by Tate Sandell. The Crimson Tide showcased a defensive unit that is incredibly effective, giving a performance that should have been enough for a win by itself.

Alabama special teams: D

Special teams hurt Alabama tremendously against the Sooners. From a 40-plus-yard punt return after a missed tackle from Crimson Tide wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks and a fumbled punt return by Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams that led to an Oklahoma score, the Crimson Tide added fuel to its special teams woes at the end of the first half with a blocked 36-yard field goal try by Conor Talty. Special teams very nearly lost.

Alabama coaching: C-

Kalen DeBoer was fired up, taking his fury out on the goal post three times before taking the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. There was seemingly no question that Alabama was up for the Sooners. The problem, for the second straight week, was with an offense unable to answer to an exceptional defensive performance.

Alabama overall vs Oklahoma: C-

In its last chance at revenge after home wins against Vanderbilt and Tennessee, Alabama was unable to complete the trifecta, leaving more questions about the Crimson Tide's staying power in the CFP moving forward

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: How Alabama football grades out in SEC dogfight loss to Oklahoma

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