Alabama Overcomes Early Deficit to Beat Oklahoma, Securing Rose Bowl Spot

Alabama’s 34-24 victory over Oklahoma on Friday not only ended a two-game skid but also secured a Rose Bowl berth.

The Build-Up

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer entered the College Football Playoff game with a cloud of doubt hanging over the program. Critics questioned whether the Crimson Tide should have made the field after a hard-fought loss to Georgia in the SEC championship and after Notre Dame was left out of the playoff. Rumors of a possible move to Michigan were serious enough for DeBoer to issue a statement saying he was happy at Alabama.

DeBoer expected his players to handle the pressure, and they did. “The doubt piece – there’s enough confidence within our group to where we can see the doubters, we can see the naysayers and just go still play our game,” he said. “This group is tight enough to where there’s never been any finger pointing. There’s ever been anything like that.”

The Game

Alabama had lost their previous two games to Oklahoma, and the Sooners seemed to have the upper hand early. Oklahoma jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the second quarter, giving the Crimson Tide a daunting deficit to overcome.

But DeBoer’s team proved resilient. Alabama rattled off 27 straight points, turning a 17-point hole into a 10-point lead. The final score was 34-24 in favor of Alabama, a win that earned the team a spot in a Rose Bowl quarterfinal against No. 1 seed Indiana.

Players’ Response

The players appreciated the extra fuel that came from the doubts. Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson said, “I guess we can thank you guys for that,” and added, “I mean, y’all kind of wrote us off in a nice sort of way. So, appreciate that.”

Linebacker Deontae Lawson didn’t like the way the media portrayed the Crimson Tide after the loss to Georgia, but he agreed with Simpson’s sentiment. “That’s when we’re at our best,” he said.

DeBoer himself remained calm throughout the game. “You can’t go score a 17-point touchdown,” he said. “You’ve got to score one score, even if it’s three points. And that’s what our guys did.”

Aftermath

Now that Alabama has secured a Rose Bowl berth, the team is closer to where they expect to be at this time of year. Simpson summed up the mood: “We’re not done yet,” adding that the season is still a long way from over.

The win not only silenced critics but also demonstrated the depth and resilience of the Crimson Tide’s roster. With a strong finish, Alabama is poised to face Indiana in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal, a game that will test the team’s ability to maintain momentum against the top-seeded opponent.

Key Takeaways

• Alabama’s 34-24 win over Oklahoma secured a Rose Bowl berth.
• Coach Kalen DeBoer addressed doubts and rumors before the game.
• Alabama overcame a 17-point deficit with a 27-point run.
• Players praised the team’s resilience and unity.
• The Crimson Tide will face No. 1 seed Indiana in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal.

The victory marks a turning point for Alabama, proving that confidence, unity, and resilience can overcome early adversity and set the stage for postseason success.