No. 11 Oklahoma travels with its protection once more and upsets No. 4 Alabama 23-21

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Oklahoma’s playmaking protection traveled nice once more Saturday, this time developing with 17 factors off three turnovers to shovel extra chaos into the Southeastern Conference and the College Football Playoff photos with a 23-21 upset of Alabama.

The Eleventh-ranked Sooners (8-2, 4-2 SEC, No. 11 CFP) backed up their win two weeks in the past at Tennessee with a fair larger shocker — this time taking down the fourth-ranked Crimson Tide (8-2, 6-1, No. 4 CFP).

Eli Bowen returned an interception 87 yards for a landing, Kip Lewis had two sacks and OU snapped ’Bama’s 17-game house successful streak whereas handing its second-year coach, Kalen DeBoer, his first loss at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama had gained eight in a row general since getting blown out at Florida State in its opener.

“OU!” chants echoed by way of the emptying stadium as Oklahoma followers celebrated afterward. Coach Brent Venables stayed on the sphere for greater than half an hour to greet followers alongside the gates of the sphere.

“This is one of the best teams I’ve been around in terms of brotherhood and belief in one another,” Venables stated. “I think it shows. I don’t think you find a way to win our fourth true road game in the fashion we were able to unless you have a lot of ingredients that aren’t on the stat sheet.”

It in all probability gained’t be a deadly blow for Alabama, however now the Tide face a must-win in two weeks in opposition to archrival Auburn within the Iron Bowl.

And Suddenly, OU’s 23-6 loss to its personal rival, Texas, appears like lots longer than 4 weeks in the past. The Sooners had been a bubble workforce in final week’s CFP rankings however with this win, they really feel like a playoff lock if they’ll maintain enterprise at house in opposition to Missouri and LSU.

The Crimson Tide had an opportunity late, however Ty Simpson’s fourth-down go to Ryan Williams fell incomplete.

The Sooners ran out the clock from there. Oklahoma — a 6-point underdog, in keeping with BetMGM Sportsbook — managed simply 212 yards of offense however had an interception and recovered two fumbles.

Oklahoma held Alabama to 57 yards over its final 4 drives, which proved to be the distinction.

“Throughout the game, it didn’t feel like we couldn’t move the ball,” DeBoer stated. “There were just these one-off plays that were the takeaways, and it just became an uphill battle. That’s what’s frustrating — you win everything pretty much but you come away with a loss.”

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer managed 161 complete yards — 138 passing — and scored on the bottom. Simpson threw for 326 yards, with a landing to tight finish Josh Cuevas and an interception. Daniel Hill scored twice for the Tide.

Alabama’s plus-10 turnover margin coming into Saturday was fourth-best nationally and greatest within the SEC. But that didn’t matter to Oklahoma, which additionally had three takeaways in a victory at Tennessee final week.

Oklahoma has six takeaways in two video games after getting simply 4 in its earlier seven. And the Sooners have scored 37 factors off these turnovers.

Despite dominating in practically each class, a collection of errors by Alabama proved decisive. In addition to the turnovers, Alabama missed a 36-yard area aim and allowed a 46-yard punt return that arrange Oklahoma’s first rating.

The takeaway

Oklahoma: The Sooners notched among the best victories in faculty soccer this season, beating a top-five workforce on the street. If their protection stays stout and their offense can proceed to progress as Mateer will get more healthy, they are often harmful late within the 12 months.

Alabama: The Tide’s long-term objectives are nonetheless in play, however this was a reminder of the small margin of error that the workforce had been successful with in latest weeks.

Up subsequent

Oklahoma hosts Missouri subsequent Saturday.

Alabama hosts Eastern Illinois subsequent Saturday.

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