Ty Simpson's two turnovers were undoubtedly costly. He threw a pick-six in the first quarter and then lost a fumble late in the third quarter with Alabama leading by one, which allowed Oklahoma to take the lead with a field goal.
Those mistakes will be discussed ad nauseam. But Alabama's special teams were an abject disaster in Tuscaloosa on Saturday afternoon, and directly contributed to the home loss to the Sooners, every bit as much as Simpson's miscues.
Oklahoma mustered only 212 yards of total offense and didn't have a single offensive drive that went for more than 41 yards. They still managed 23 points and edged out Alabama.
The special teams miscues started immediately.
After a quick three-and-out by the Alabama offense on the first possession of the game, Oklahoma's Isaiah Sategna returned the Blake Doud punt 42 yards to the Tide's 30-yard line. The Sooners drew first blood with a field goal thanks to the punt return.
In the second quarter, after Alabama had battled back from the Simpson pick-six to cut the Oklahoma lead to just 10-7, the defense forced an immediate three-and-out. Unfortunately, Ryan Williams got the ball punched out on the return, and Oklahoma recovered at the Alabama 31. Two plays later, the Sooners were in the endzone on a John Mateer touchdown run.
Alabama answered back with a touchdown to cut the lead to three, and then put together a 13-play, 63-yard drive before the half to position Connor Talty for a chip-shot 36-yard field goal to tie the game before the half.
But a high snap threw the timing off, and an Oklahoma DL got a finger on a ball that looked to be hooking left anyway. The miss loomed large in a game Alabama lost by two points.
Special teams directly led to 10 Oklahoma points and cost Alabama three. Offensive turnovers led to another 10. The Sooners walked into Bryant-Denny and left with a win without one time having to drive the entire field offensively.
Alabama gagged away an opportunity to clinch a College Football Playoff bid
Alabama had every opportunity to win the game. It gagged it away. Give Oklahoma credit for accepting the gifts Alabama gave them with open arms, but this loss is 100% on the Crimson Tide for its issues on offense and special teams.
Alabama has been begging to lose a game for weeks, and Brent Venables and Oklahoma graciously obliged.
Alabama could have clinched a playoff berth with a win tonight. Instead, the Crimson Tide will see its season come down to the Iron Bowl. In the Jordan-Hare Stadium house of horrors against an Auburn team that will be highly motivated to end the Crimson Tide's season.
No more mulligans left.