### Alabama's Historic Comeback: A Thrilling Victory Over Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff In a dramatic first-round matchup of the College Football Playoff, the No. 9 seed Alabama Crimson Tide staged a remarkable comeback to defeat the No. 8 seed Oklahoma Sooners 34-24. Trailing by 17 points in the first half, Alabama's resilience shone through as they rallied to secure their first playoff victory under head coach Kalen DeBoer. This win not only marks a significant milestone for the team but also sets them up for a challenging quarterfinal against the top-seeded Indiana Hoosiers in the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2026. Ty Simpson, Alabama's star quarterback, played a pivotal role, throwing for 232 yards and two touchdowns, while freshman Lotzeir Brooks made a notable impact with two touchdown receptions, his first of the season. Oklahoma's John Mateer also had a strong performance, passing for 307 yards and two touchdowns, but a critical interception proved costly for the Sooners [https://apnews.com/article/oklahoma-alabama-cfp-score-a5ec0c381cc134b3a3c8338d6cb445cb][https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2025/dec/20/bama-comeback-floors-oklahoma]. ### Breakdown of the Game's Key Moments and Performances 1. **First Half Struggles**: - Alabama fell behind 17-0 early in the game, struggling to find their rhythm against Oklahoma's defense. - The Sooners capitalized on Alabama's slow start, with John Mateer connecting for two touchdowns. 2. **Turning Point**: - Just before halftime, Alabama began to shift momentum, scoring 27 unanswered points to take control of the game. - Ty Simpson's leadership and strategic plays were crucial in this turnaround. 3. **Second Half Dominance**: - Alabama took the lead early in the third quarter with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Simpson to Brooks, making the score 24-17. - The Crimson Tide maintained their lead despite a late push from Oklahoma, who narrowed the gap to 27-24 with a touchdown catch from Deion Burks. 4. **Final Stretch**: - Alabama sealed the victory with a final touchdown, showcasing their championship grit and determination to advance in the playoffs [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/alabama-survives-then-takes-control-044948140.html][https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ole-miss-tulane-prediction-odds-2025-college-football-playoff-first-round-picks-best-bets]. ### Supporting Evidence of Alabama's Performance - **Key Statistics**: - **Ty Simpson**: 232 passing yards, 2 touchdowns. - **Lotzeir Brooks**: 5 receptions, 79 yards, 2 touchdowns. - **John Mateer (Oklahoma)**: 307 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception. - **Game Flow**: - Alabama scored 27 consecutive points after being down 17-0, demonstrating their ability to adapt and overcome adversity. - This victory marks Alabama as the first road team to win a College Football Playoff game on campus, a significant achievement in the playoff's history [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/alabama-roars-back-beat-oklahoma-044155723.html][https://www.sbsun.com/2025/12/19/cfp-alabama-rallies-past-oklahoma-will-face-no-1-indiana-in-rose-bowl]. ### Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Alabama Football **Alabama's comeback against Oklahoma is a testament to their resilience and determination.** The victory not only propels them into the next round of the College Football Playoff but also highlights the potential of their young quarterback, Ty Simpson, and the team's ability to perform under pressure. 1. **Historic Comeback**: Overcame a 17-point deficit to win 34-24. 2. **Key Players**: Ty Simpson and Lotzeir Brooks were instrumental in the victory. 3. **Next Challenge**: Alabama will face No. 1 seed Indiana in the Rose Bowl, setting the stage for another thrilling matchup [https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2025-12-19/alabama-defeats-oklahoma-college-football-playoff][https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/dec/20/alabama-oklahoma-college-football-playoff-first-round-rally].