NORMAN, Okla. — Blame it on rat traps or “rat poison,” but No. 7 Alabama’s playoff hopes were dashed Saturday night in a 24-3 loss at Oklahoma.
The Crimson Tide’s road woes from earlier this season reared their ugly head again, as a mixture of blunders and blown assignments allowed the Sooners to milk the clock after building a big lead.
Alabama (8-3, 4-3 in the SEC) was in position to punch a ticket to the SEC Championship Game by winning its final two regular-season games. Instead, the Tide will look to avoid further embarrassment during next week’s Iron Bowl before watching the College Football Playoff from afar. Meanwhile, Oklahoma (6-5, 2-5) snapped a four-game SEC losing streak while earning bowl eligibility in the process.
Here’s a look at how Alabama graded out in all three aspects of the game.
Oklahoma also did a good job of bottling Milroe up on runs, limiting him to 7 yards on 15 attempts. Alabama had better success on running back carries, as Jam Miller and Justice Haynes combined for 63 yards on 18 attempts. However, by the time the Tide could get anything going on the ground, it was too far behind to commit to the running game.
Oklahoma's defense sacked Milroe just once but hurried him throughout the game. Led by its stout defensive front, the Sooners stacked up nine tackles for a loss on the night.
Ryan Williams nearly sparked the Tide with a spectacular 36-yard touchdown on fourth-and-3 in the fourth quarter. However, the receiver was flagged for illegal touching, negating the score while forcing Alabama to turn the ball over on downs.
This is the first time Alabama hasn’t scored an offensive touchdown since its 9-6 loss to LSU in 2011.
Oklahoma’s poor passing game was never a threat, but the Sooners were able to gash the Tide for 255 yards on the ground as quarterback Jackson Arnold (128 rushing yards) and running back Xavier Robinson (107 yards, two touchdowns) both eclipsed the century mark.
Alabama allowed Oklahoma to rip off eight runs of 10 or more yards and two passes of 15 or more yards in the air. The Sooners converted 7 of 15 third-down attempts and also moved the chains on a fourth-and-2.
Williams made freshman mistake by fielding a punt at his own 2-yard line instead of potentially allowing it to bounce into the end zone.
The Crimson Tide’s road woes from earlier this season reared their ugly head again, as a mixture of blunders and blown assignments allowed the Sooners to milk the clock after building a big lead.
Alabama (8-3, 4-3 in the SEC) was in position to punch a ticket to the SEC Championship Game by winning its final two regular-season games. Instead, the Tide will look to avoid further embarrassment during next week’s Iron Bowl before watching the College Football Playoff from afar. Meanwhile, Oklahoma (6-5, 2-5) snapped a four-game SEC losing streak while earning bowl eligibility in the process.
Here’s a look at how Alabama graded out in all three aspects of the game.
Offense — F
Jalen Milroe put in the worst game of his Alabama career, failing to get anything going with his arm or legs. The redshirt junior completed 11 of 26 passes for 164 yards while throwing three costly interceptions, including one that was returned 49 yards for a touchdown. Milroe's three interceptions are the most in one game by an Alabama quarterback since Blake Sims threw three during the Tide's Sugar Bowl defeat to Ohio State in 2015.Oklahoma also did a good job of bottling Milroe up on runs, limiting him to 7 yards on 15 attempts. Alabama had better success on running back carries, as Jam Miller and Justice Haynes combined for 63 yards on 18 attempts. However, by the time the Tide could get anything going on the ground, it was too far behind to commit to the running game.
Oklahoma's defense sacked Milroe just once but hurried him throughout the game. Led by its stout defensive front, the Sooners stacked up nine tackles for a loss on the night.
Ryan Williams nearly sparked the Tide with a spectacular 36-yard touchdown on fourth-and-3 in the fourth quarter. However, the receiver was flagged for illegal touching, negating the score while forcing Alabama to turn the ball over on downs.
This is the first time Alabama hasn’t scored an offensive touchdown since its 9-6 loss to LSU in 2011.
Defense — D-
Alabama was slightly better on the defensive side of the ball, but not by much. After stopping the Sooners on their first three third-down attempts, the Tide allowed Oklahoma to convert on six of its next seven tries.Oklahoma’s poor passing game was never a threat, but the Sooners were able to gash the Tide for 255 yards on the ground as quarterback Jackson Arnold (128 rushing yards) and running back Xavier Robinson (107 yards, two touchdowns) both eclipsed the century mark.
Alabama allowed Oklahoma to rip off eight runs of 10 or more yards and two passes of 15 or more yards in the air. The Sooners converted 7 of 15 third-down attempts and also moved the chains on a fourth-and-2.
Special teams — C
It was a bit of a mixed bag for Alabama’s special teams unit. James Burnip pinned Oklahoma at its own 2-yard line on a 62-yard boot but shanked a punt for just 23 yards earlier in the game. Meanwhile, Graham Nicholson knocked in an easy 22-yard field goal to give the Tide’s its only points on the night.Williams made freshman mistake by fielding a punt at his own 2-yard line instead of potentially allowing it to bounce into the end zone.
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