After a long regular season and plenty of drama during the selection process, the 2025 College Football Playoff finally kicks off tonight in primetime. On Friday evening at 8 p.m. EST, a couple of SEC programs face off as the Oklahoma Sooners welcome the Alabama Crimson Tide to town for the opening game of the postseason tournament.
Here, we’ll be tracking the biggest plays from the on-field action with updates throughout tonight’s Alabama vs. Oklahoma matchup. Stay tuned below to follow along!
Alabama vs. Oklahoma live tracker
Ball game as Alabama completes the comeback!
The Sooners had one last gasp with another field goal try in the last minute, but Sandell’s attempt was no good from 51. The Crimson Tide took over and knelt the clock out, securing the win and advancing to the next round, where they’ll face the top-seeded Indiana Hoosiers in the Rose Bowl.
Alabama comes out on top with a 34-24 victory despite being outgained in yardage 362-260 on the night, going just 2/12 on third-down conversions and logging over six fewer minutes in the time-of-possession battle.
Crimson Tide Quarterback Ty Simpson finished with an 18/29 line for 232 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, while Lotzeir Brooks hauled in both scores with five catches for 79 yards.
As for Oklahoma, John Mateer went 26/41 for 307 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Deion Burks led receivers with seven receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown.
Disaster for OU
For the first time since his first attempt of the season, Sandell has just missed a kick. You heard that right — the star kicker has narrowly missed a field goal by sending it just over the top of the left upright. It’s sure to be a controversial call, but the 36-yard miss likely ends the Sooners’ season as it would’ve made this a one-score game. Instead, Oklahoma remains down 34-24 with under three minutes to go.
Bama adds some breathing room with the clock ticking
After stopping Oklahoma inside the OU 10-yard line, Alabama took over with a short field and needed only four plays to find the end zone. A six-yard rushing touchdown from Daniel Hill brings the Crimson Tide’s lead back out to 10 points by a 34-24 margin. Time is running out for the Sooners as the surrender cobras begin in the crowd in Norman, Oklahoma.
Oklahoma punches back to stay alive!
Right at the start of the fourth quarter, the Sooners suddenly look alive again. Mateer threaded a ball between two defenders to Deion Burks, who finished the play off after the catch for a 37-yard touchdown reception. Oklahoma is back in contention but will need to clamp down on defense trailing 27-24 in the final frame.
Two-score game for the Tide
Alabama’s incredible surge continues with the tally now at 27 unanswered points following a 40-yard field goal from Talty. It’s absurd to see these sides swap places this quickly, but the Crimson Tide are now firmly in the driver’s seat and may not take their foot off the gas pedal. Make it 27-17 with 4:30 in the third.
Alabama takes the lead to start second half
Against all odds, the Crimson Tide are now out in front with a gorgeous 30-yard strike from Simpson to Brooks for the pair’s second touchdown connection of the night. We’re talking beautiful spiral here — watch the clip for yourself here. That’s now 24 unanswered points for the visitors, who now have their first lead of the game.
This. Game. Is. TIED!
A 17-0 lead has now evaporated into a tie ballgame with a pick-six by John Mateer. Alabama cornerback Zabien Brown intercepted a pass and ran it back 50 yards for a defensive touchdown, knotting this game at 17-17 just before halftime. That means 17 unanswered points for the Crimson Tide…
Special teams mishap turns into points for the Tide
A brutal drop by an Oklahoma wideout turned what could’ve been a walk-in deep touchdown into a forced punt. A poor snap resulted in a block by Alabama, creating excellent field position for the Crimson Tide at their opponents’ 30-yard line. While they didn’t find the end zone, Conor Talty hit a 35-yard field goal to make it a one-score game. With 2:08 to go until half, the Sooners lead 17-10 with the visitors suddenly back within striking distance.
Alabama fires back on fourth-and-two
The Crimson Tide finally showed up, driving downfield to score their first points of the game midway through the second frame. A nine-play, 75-yard possession nearly sputtered on a gutsy call to go for it on fourth-and-two inside the Oklahoma 10-yard line. However, Ty Simpson connected on a short toss to Lotzeir Brooks for the conversion before the wideout made it happen after the catch to cross the plane. Alabama stays alive, though there’s work to be done while trailing 17-7.
Sooners keep their foot on the gas
This Sooners defense appears dominant through the first few chances, holding to just 12 total yards of offense through three possessions. After getting the ball back once again early in the second quarter, Mateer delivered a couple of excellent throws and found a wide-open Isaiah Sategna III in the end zone. Oklahoma goes up 17-0 after the extra point with 10:51 to go until half, taking firm control of this game. The question is now whether an anemic Alabama offense can respond after the nightmare start.
Oklahoma pads the lead
A sack for OU courtesy of Kip Lewis helped force Alabama to punt, setting up a very short field for the Sooners. A costly penalty kept them from advancing on third down, but America’s favorite kicker — Tate Sandell, known for one of college football’s best legs and comically-high-rolled pants — booted a 51-yarder through the uprights to take a 10-0 lead to end the first quarter.
First points on the board
On the Sooners’ second drive, John Mateer connected with Jer’Michael Carter on a 21-yard strike to cross midfield. A few plays later, the quarterback hit another 17-yard pass to get inside the 10 before punching in an eight-yard rushing score with his legs. Oklahoma takes the first lead of the night with 5:29 to go in the first along with the first touchdown of the 2025 College Football Playoff.
Defenses rolling early
Through the opening possession for each team, we don’t have any points yet. Oklahoma did manage to move the ball on the first drive, but the offense stalled out around midfield. As for Alabama, a quick three-and-out on the Crimson Tide’s first drive now puts the ball back in their opponents’ hands at the nine-minute mark of the first quarter.
Alabama vs. Oklahoma kicks off at 8 p.m. EST tonight.
Ahead of this matchup’s start, the Sooners are slim -1.5 favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook as a -130 Moneyline favorite at home. The Crimson Tide hold +110 odds to win outright on the road with the game total set at 41.5 points.
Which side comes out on top in this College Football Playoff contest? Stay tuned for updates!
