Kalen DeBoer believes Alabama executed at a higher level against Oklahoma than it had in recent weeks against LSU and South Carolina.
He's probably right.
Despite a two-point loss, Alabama racked up over 400 yards of offense against arguably the best defense it has faced all season long. Unfortunately, it didn't matter because Alabama turned it over three times and Oklahoma - despite only 212 yards of offense - racked up 23 points in a two-point win. 17 of the 23 points Oklahoma scored came off turnovers. Another three came to a coverage bust on a punt return. The other three came from the Sooners' longest drive of the game - a 41-yard march for a field goal right out of halftime.
So even though DeBoer is probably correct, his words provide little solace for Alabama fans. It's a frustrating loss regardless of the execution. One that should have never happened.
"It goes back to most of the snaps, we played pretty good football, but it's the ones that were big that really hurt us," DeBoer said.
The loss doesn't knock Alabama out of the College Football Playoff, but it removes the last margin for error the Crimson Tide had left. It means the Iron Bowl just became that much more important. More than bragging rights, Alabama's entire season will be on the line in Jordan-Hare Stadium in two weeks.
Alabama shot itself in the foot too often to beat a quality opponent
My words aren't likely to provide solace, either. Alabama was the better team on Saturday afternoon. That's what makes the loss so tough to stomach, particularly after Oklahoma punched the Crimson Tide in the mouth a year ago in Norman.
It's the reality of football. No matter how well you execute on a down-to-down basis, it only takes a devastating play or two to change the outcome. Remove any one of Alabama's turnovers, and the Crimson Tide emerges victorious. Remove the long punt return in the first quarter, or let Connor Talty hit a 35-yard field goal before the half, and Alabama wins.
Any of that, and Alabama wins the game. Instead, they're left to ponder a frustrating defeat, the first in Bryant-Denny Stadium under DeBoer's leadership.
"Just feel like throughout the game, it really didn't feel like we couldn't move the ball," DeBoer said. "It didn't feel like we couldn't put it in the end zone. There was just these one-off plays that were the takeaways. Then it just became an uphill battle.
"Again, they're a good football team. When you give them those chances, that's what you get."
Alabama got what it deserved. You can't play that sloppily, you can't hand your opponent 17 points and expect to win a football game.
Now, DeBoer will have to coach against Auburn in two weeks on the road with more pressure than he's probably ever felt. Because win, and Alabama is in the College Football Playoff and probably will play in the SEC Championship Game.
But lose, and we're right back to hot-seat talk as the Crimson Tide misses the playoff for the second straight year.