As the Oklahoma Sooners gear up to host the Alabama Crimson Tide, they face a steep uphill battle to salvage their football season. Coming off a heartbreaking 33-30 loss to Missouri, where a last-second field goal crushed their hopes of a critical road win, the Sooners find themselves in a precarious position. Sitting at 4-6 and needing to win out to keep their 25-year bowl streak alive, Oklahoma must find a way to defeat Alabama and finish the season on a high note. However, the Sooners’ task is monumental with Alabama firing on all cylinders, led by the surging Jalen Milroe.
Offensive struggles continue to plague Oklahoma Sooners
The Oklahoma Sooners’ offense, led by quarterback Jackson Arnold, has been a point of frustration for football fans and coaches alike. While Oklahoma’s defense has kept them competitive in recent matchups, the offense has consistently underperformed, often failing to capitalize on crucial opportunities and putting added pressure on the defensive unit.
Arnold, who showed promise early in the season, has struggled with consistency, decision-making, and accuracy in recent games. The inability of the Sooners’ offense to finish drives has directly contributed to their current predicament, as they’ve repeatedly left points on the field, unable to close out winnable games.
Against Missouri, the Sooners squandered several red-zone opportunities, settling for field goals instead of touchdowns. This lack of execution ultimately left them vulnerable, allowing Missouri to take advantage and seal the game with a last-minute field goal. The Sooners’ offensive line has also been inconsistent, with frequent breakdowns in pass protection and an unreliable run game, putting even more pressure on Arnold to make plays.
To keep the contest competitive against Alabama, the Sooners’ offense must finally step up and find ways to score consistently. That starts with better execution in the red zone, where field goals won’t be enough to keep up with Alabama’s high-octane attack. Establishing the run will be crucial to take pressure off Arnold but also will keep the Alabama defense honest. Running backs Jovantae Barnes and Taylor Tatum will need to find holes in Alabama’s stout defensive front and help the Sooners control the game’s tempo.
Slowing down Jalen Milroe and Alabama’s hot streak
Defensively, The Oklahoma Sooners will face their toughest test of the football season as they look to contain Jalen Milroe, who has become Alabama’s starting quarterback. Milroe, fresh off a massive road win at LSU, brings a dual-threat ability that has left defenses scrambling. His ability to make plays both through the air and on the ground has transformed Alabama’s offense into a formidable force. Oklahoma’s defense must focus on keeping Milroe contained in the pocket, as allowing him to break free on scrambles or designed runs could spell disaster.
One way the Oklahoma Sooners’ defense can slow down Milroe is by bringing pressure from various angles while keeping a spy on him to minimize his running opportunities. Edge rushers and linebackers will need to be disciplined in maintaining their assignments, as Alabama’s offensive line is capable of opening lanes for Milroe if defenders over-commit. The Sooners’ secondary will also be critical in this matchup, as they’ll need to shut down Alabama’s receivers and prevent big plays that could swing momentum in the Tide’s favor.
With Alabama coming off a statement victory at LSU, they’ll be playing with confidence and momentum. Oklahoma must disrupt that early, aiming to keep the game close and force Alabama into mistakes. Turnovers will be key for the Sooners; if they can generate takeaways and give the offense favorable field position, it could be their best shot at staying in the game.
The 25-year bowl streak in jeopardy
This season, Oklahoma faces the grim possibility of their first losing season in 25 years, which would end their impressive bowl streak. Sitting at 5-5, the Sooners’ margin for error is gone. With Alabama and LSU left on the schedule, finishing 5-7 feels increasingly likely—a record that would likely eliminate them from bowl eligibility and bring a disappointing close to a proud chapter in Sooners’ history.
