While Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer and starting quarterback Ty Simpson wanted to get off to a fast start against the Oklahoma Sooners on Friday night, everything has pretty much gone wrong.
The Sooners, with starting quarterback John Mateer expertly leading the team down the field, jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the second quarter of a College Football Playoff game in Norman, OK.
What Were CFP Onlookers Saying About Alabama?
As college football onlookers watched what was happening on the field, they were calling out the lack of offense from Alabama.
SEC Unfiltered founder Chris Phillips didn’t hold back in criticizing what was happening to the Crimson Tide. He posted on X, “Alabama needs a spark or this s**t is going to get ugly quick …”
ESPN analyst Aaron Murray pointed out that the Crimson Tide is simply getting beat on both sides of the offensive line.
Mateer all day to throw
Bama just getting that butt whooped on both lines of scrimmage
— Aaron Murray (@aaronmurray11) December 20, 2025
Shehan Jeyarajah, national college football writer for CBS Sports, was watching what was happening on the field and wrote, “Does Alabama know there’s a football game on?”
And ESPN writer David Hale added his two cents on Alabama’s play as he wrote, “Notre Dame was mad about the wrong team.”
But Alabama was not down and out after all. Simpson threw a touchdown pass to get the Crimson Tide within 17-7 midway through the second quarter. Then, Oklahoma’s punter botched a snap and his kick attempt was blocked.
On the ensuing drive, though, Oklahoma’s defense sacked Simpson for a loss. Yet Alabama kicked a field goal with just a little over two minutes before halftime, closing the gap to 17-10. According to the PFSN CFB Offense Impact metrics, the Crimson Tide have an impact score of 83.7, which grades out to a B.
This game is being watched by everyone in the college football world. DeBoer, despite claiming that he’s committed to the Crimson Tide football program, has had his name bandied about in connection with the Michigan head football coaching job.
Depending on what happens in Friday night’s CFB clash, DeBoer’s future might be hanging by a thread. He took over after Nick Saban, who collected college football championships left and right for Alabama, stepped down.
Following in Saban’s footsteps, for any coach, would be a heavy burden. DeBoer, though, has not been winning over many fans among the Alabama faithful this season.
