Playoff Rematch Preview: 3 Keys for Alabama to Avenge Oklahoma Loss

The stage is set for one of the most anticipated matchups of the postseason. #9 Alabama heads to Norman to face #8 Oklahoma in the first round of the College Football Playoff—a chance for immediate redemption after the Sooners shocked the Tide 23-21 in Tuscaloosa just last month.

That November 15th loss derailed Alabama's SEC Championship hopes and forced them onto the road for the playoffs. Now, Kalen DeBoer and his staff have had three weeks to diagnose what went wrong. If Alabama wants to advance to the quarterfinals, these are the three areas they must fix.

1. Protect the Football (and Ty Simpson)

The primary culprit in the first matchup was turnovers. Alabama coughed up the ball three times, including two costly interceptions. Oklahoma's defense, led by aggressive linebacker play, feasted on those mistakes.

Ty Simpson has shown flash and resilience—evident in his 3-touchdown performance in the Iron Bowl—but he must be decisively cleaner with the football. Oklahoma will likely dial up the same pressure packages that confused the Tide offensive line in November. The adjustment? Quicker reads and more max-protect schemes to give Simpson time to find receivers downfield.

2. Re-establish the Ground Game

In the regular-season loss, Alabama became one-dimensional. The running game was stifled, forcing the offense into predictable passing situations on third-and-long. Against Georgia in the SEC Championship, the run game was non-existent (-3 yards), which is a flashing red warning light.

To win in Norman, Alabama must commit to the run early, even if it's tough sledding. Establishing a physical presence at the line of scrimmage will slow down the Sooners' pass rush and open up play-action lanes.

3. Contain the Sooner Quarterback Run

Oklahoma's offense extended drives in the fourth quarter of the first matchup with timely quarterback scrambles. The Tide defense often had excellent coverage downfield, only to lose containment in the pocket.

Alabama's edge rushers need to be disciplined. It's not just about getting sacks; it's about maintaining lane integrity to keep the quarterback in the pocket. If they can force Oklahoma into a pure drop-back passing game, Alabama's secondary has the talent to win individual matchups.

The road to the National Championship goes through Norman. For Alabama, it's not just a playoff game; it's a chance to rewrite the story of their 2025 season.