Turnovers burn Alabama football for second year in a row against Sooners | Goodbread
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Alabama football lost its first SEC game of the season on Saturday, Nov. 15, falling 23-21 to Oklahoma at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide offense struggled throughout and spoiled a stellar defensive effort. The outcome damaged Alabama's chances of reaching the SEC Championship Game as well as the College Football Playoff, although both goals remain in reach.
Here are some quick thoughts on the outcome:
Talking points
1 – A year after Alabama's offense showed no poise whatsoever against Oklahoma in Norman, it was lacking once again at home against the Sooners. After staking OU to double-digit leads of 10-0 and 17-7 with turnovers, the Crimson Tide ultimately did as much to assist Oklahoma's scoring as it did its own. The wheels have been coming off the wagon for Alabama's offense for a few weeks now. It struggled for most of the game against South Carolina, didn't fare much better against LSU and couldn't take care of the ball against Oklahoma. The loss places much higher stakes on a road trip to Auburn for the Iron Bowl in two weeks.
2 – The Alabama defense was outstanding. The scoreboard was suggestive of a better day for the Sooners, but a lot of those 23 points came cheap. Thanks to a pair of turnovers and a 42-yard punt return, the Sooners generated 17 first-half points on just 107 total yards. A second-half fumble by Ty Simpson set up three more points for OU. Still, the UA defense maintained its edge in the second half, giving the Alabama offense plenty of chances to rebound. Defense carried the day for Alabama in a 20-9 win over LSU the previous week, and was good enough to do so again in a loss OU.
3 – Expected turnover margin favored an Alabama team that entered play at plus-10 for the season, while Oklahoma entered at minus-5. But it was Oklahoma that won that critical aspect, and that was the difference in the outcome. Two first-half Crimson Tide turnovers − a Simpson pick-six and a Ryan Williams fumble on a punt return − led directly to 14 OU points. In between those mishaps, Alabama LB Justin Jefferson dropped a would-be interception that could've gone for a pick-six as well. A Simpson fumble late in the third quarter resulted in three more OU points.
Turning point
Oklahoma's defense came up with with a sack late in the fourth quarter as Alabama was attempting to drive for game-winning points. The play set up a third-and-21 for UA QB Ty Simpson that he couldn't overcome, ultimately throwing incomplete on fourth-and-6.
By the numbers
138 − Oklahoma QB John Mateer managed only 138 passing yards against an Alabama secondary that has been one of the nation's best.
What I liked
Daniel Hill is quickly becoming a major component in the Alabama offense. The 240-pound running back is showing more effectiveness as a rusher than Jam Miller, has been a reliable target as a pass receiver and he's clearly got a feel for handling wildcat snaps on the goal line. Alabama's run blocking remains a sore spot, but when the hole isn't there, Hill can bring his own block more so than any back on the roster.
What I didn't like
After Alabama's punt team allowed a 42-yard return to set up the Sooners' first possession, the UA defense held Oklahoma to a field goal on a drive that started at the Alabama 30. Between that, a Williams' fumble on a punt return and Alabama's missed FG try before the half, it was a mess of a day for UA's special teams. Cole Adams, who hasn't fumbled a punt all year, should handle every return the rest of the season.
Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23. Reach him at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X.com @chasegoodbread.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Turnovers burn Alabama football for 2nd year in row against Sooners
