No. 11 Oklahoma shook up the SEC championship race and the College Football Playoff picture with a 23-21 victory against No. 4 Alabama on Saturday.
Oklahoma (8-2, 4-2 SEC) stayed on the path toward 10 wins and a possible College Football Playoff berth. Alabama (8-2, 6-1 SEC) now has to win the Iron Bowl to stay on course for the SEC championship game on Dec. 6.
How did that happen? It was the same formula the Sooners used to beat the Crimson Tide in 2024. What does that mean for the SEC championship and College Football Playoff race for a conference trying to squeeze five teams into the field?
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How Oklahoma upset Alabama in SEC slugfest
Oklahoma led 17-14 at halftime despite just 107 total yards. That's because Alabama struggled with turnovers and could not get the running game going behind quarterback Ty Simpson.
The Sooners took a 10-0 lead with 2:03 left in the first quarter after an 83-yard interception return for a TD by Eli Bowen.
The Crimson Tide had two first-half turnovers – and Oklahoma turned a Ryan Williams fumble on a punt return into a second TD. This time, John Mateer scored on a 20-yard TD run with 8:49 remaining in the half. Alabama answered with a 25-yard TD pass from Simpson to Josh Cuevas, but Conor Talty missed a game-tying field goal before halftime.
Simpson finished 22 of 31 for 246 yards, one TD and an interception. The Crimson Tide had 28 rushing yards on 2.2 yards per carry at halftime.
Tate Sindell extended the lead to 20-14 with a 52-yard field with 10:38 left in the third quarter.
Daniel Hill finally got the Alabama running game going with a 28-yard run that set up his 1-yard TD with 7:27 remaining in the third quarter. Oklahoma, however, forced yet another turnover on a strip sack by Taylor Wein, which Kendal Daniels recovered.
Sindell hit a 24-yard field goal with 13:41 remaining for a 23-21 lead. Alabama's final drive was stalled by a sack by Kip Lewis. Peyton Bowen knocked away Simpson's final pass to preserve the upset.
MORE: Oklahoma's defense proves to be the difference vs. Bama
Breaking down SEC playoff contenders
The SEC has seven teams with two losses or less – all of which were ranked in the top 14 in the College Football Playoff rankings heading into Week 12. A look at where those contenders stand:
| SCHOOL | OVERALL | SEC | PF | PA | WEEK 12 |
| Texas A&M | 10-0 | 7-0 | 371 | 236 | Beat South Carolina 31-30 |
| Alabama | 8-2 | 6-1 | 316 | 178 | Lost to Oklahoma 23-21 |
| Georgia | 8-1 | 6-1 | 301 | 178 | vs. Texas |
| Ole Miss | 9-1 | 5-1 | 375 | 198 | vs. Florida |
| Texas | 7-2 | 4-1 | 266 | 148 | vs. Georgia |
| Oklahoma | 8-2 | 4-2 | 283 | 148 | Beat Alabama 23-21 |
| Vanderbilt | 8-2 | 4-2 | 383 | 222 | Bye |
Texas A&M (10-0, 7-0)
Remaining schedule: vs. Samford, at Texas
The Aggies saved face with a miraculous 31-30 comeback against South Carolina. Texas A&M has the worst cumulative conference winning percentage among the SEC contenders, and they did not play Alabama, Georgia or Ole Miss in the regular season. A victory against Texas on Nov. 28 would clinch a spot in the Big Ten championship game.
Alabama (8-2, 6-1)
Remaining schedule: vs. Eastern Illinois, at Auburn
Alabama missed a chance to get closer to the SEC championship game. The Crimson Tide no longer control their destiny but still have a good shot at the SEC championship game with a victory against Auburn.. Alabama, Georgia and Ole Miss all have comparable cumulative conference winning percentages and no common opponent.
Georgia (8-1, 6-1)
Remaining schedule: vs. Texas, vs. Charlotte, vs. Georgia Tech
Georgia can clinch a spot in the SEC championship game with a victory against Texas. A loss likely would knock Georgia out of the championship picture, however. The head-to-head victory against Ole Miss helps, but it's all about taking care of business at home against the Longhorns on Saturday.
Ole Miss (9-1, 5-1)
Remaining schedule: vs. Florida, at Mississippi State
The Rebels need to win their final two games. Losses by Georgia and Alabama would create a path to the SEC championship game. The only common opponents Texas A&M, Georgia and Ole Miss share are Florida and Mississippi State.
Texas (7-2, 4-1)
Remaining schedule: at Georgia, vs. Arkansas, vs. Texas A&M
Texas gets its chance to pull into the SEC championship race against Georgia on Saturday. A loss to Georgia and wins by Alabama and Ole Miss would push Texas to the brink of elimination in the SEC race and make it difficult to make the College Football Playoff with three overall losses.
Oklahoma (8-2, 4-2)
Remaining schedule: vs. Missouri, vs. LSU
Oklahoma is still alive in the SEC championship and College Football Playoff race. The Sooners have head-to-head losses against Texas and Ole Miss – but they do have the second-highest cumulative conference winning percentage among the seven teams.
Vanderbilt (8-2, 4-2)
Remaining schedule: vs. Kentucky, at Tennessee
Vanderbilt had a bye week. The Commodores are eliminated from SEC championship game contention in Week 12 if Ole Miss and Georgia win in Week 12. Vanderbilt still has an intriguing case as a CFP at-large team if it wins out.