No. 7 Alabama Falls to Unranked Oklahoma, Opening Up College Football Playoff Bracket
Entering Saturday night, all No. 7 Alabama needed was a win against unranked Oklahoma to remain safe in the College Football Playoff bracket. However, the Crimson Tide couldn’t get the job done, as Oklahoma dominated to a 24-3 victory.
Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, who had been one of the nation’s best players, had his worst game of the season. He completed 11 of 26 passes for 164 yards with three interceptions and gained just seven yards on 15 carries. The Sooners held Alabama to 234 yards.
Oklahoma’s Xavier Robinson ran for career highs of 107 yards and two touchdowns as the Sooners became bowl eligible and took coach Brent Venables off the hot seat. The victory resulted in fans storming the field, but at least this time it was practically over anyway.
The loss for Alabama leaves the door open for 9-2 teams like Clemson and Iowa State, who had been ranked 17th and 22nd in the nation, respectively. Indiana’s college football playoff hopes may also be revitalized, and No. 10 Georgia and No. 11 Tennessee are likely to move up a few spots with three teams ahead of them in the rankings losing.
The next rankings will come out on Tuesday, and it should be very exciting to see what the committee has in store.