Alabama storms back to defeat Oklahoma, advances in CFP first round

Alabama rallied from a 17-point first-half deficit to defeat Oklahoma 34-24 in the College Football Playoff first round on Friday night, earning a spot in the tournament’s next round.

The Sooners jumped out to a 17-0 lead, but the Tide answered with 10 straight points. Alabama tied the game just before halftime on Zabien Brown’s 50-yard interception return, a play that swung momentum and sent the game to the locker room level at 17.

Alabama carried the momentum into the second half, scoring the first 10 points to seize a 27-17 lead. Quarterback Ty Simpson guided the offense as the Tide stretched the advantage, answering Oklahoma’s early third-quarter push and answering with a sustained drive that kept the Sooners on their heels.

Oklahoma narrowed the gap when John Mateer connected with Deion Burks on a 37-yard touchdown pass to make it 27-24, but Alabama answered with a decisive late drive. A circus catch by Germie Bernard set up a short rushing score by Daniel Hill, pushing the margin back to 34-24 and sealing the win.

The victory preserves one of college football’s oldest and most notable streaks: no team has beaten the Crimson Tide twice in a single season since 1893. Oklahoma, which had upset Alabama earlier this season, could not extend that feat in the CFP first round.

Alabama will move on to the second round to face top-ranked Indiana. The matchup sets up a test against a highly ranked program and keeps the Crimson Tide’s playoff push alive as it continues to pursue a run at another national championship.