That the Alabama Crimson Tide wants to settle a score with Oklahoma is a minor subtext. The Alabama program and Kalen DeBoer badly need a playoff win for the Crimson Tide to remain college football's Playoff King.
The Crimson Tide has more playoff appearances, more wins, and more National Championships than any other program in the Playoff Era. Alabama comes up short in only one key measurement. Georgia's playoff winning percentage is 71.4%; Alabama's is 64.3%.
A stat that Oklahoma fans would like to forget is that among the 11 programs having played in three or more playoff games, the Oklahoma Sooners, at 0-4, have the worst record. If Alabama fails to push OU's playoff record to 0-5, the Crimson Tide could suffer a serious drop in its playoff reputation.
Alabama has not won a playoff game since the 2021-22 season. The Crimson Tide beat Cincinnati 27-6 in a Cotton Bowl semi-final that season. In that season's National Championship Game, Alabama lost to Georgia 33-18.
With so much debate about Alabama making the playoff field this season, losing to the Sooners could erase any benefit of doubt the Crimson Tide has held with Playoff Selection Committees.
Alabama Crimson Tide Playoff History
ALABAMA PLAYOFF WINS
- 2015/16 - Cotton Bowl Semi-Final, Alabama 38 - Michigan State 0; National Championship Game, Alabama 45 - Clemson 40
- 2016 - Peach Bowl Semi-Final, Alabama 24 - Washington 7
- 2017/18 - Sugar Bowl Semi-Final, Alabama 24 - Clemson 6; National Championship Game, Alabama 26 - Georgia 23
- 2018 - Orange Bowl Semi-Final, Alabama 45 - Oklahoma 34
- 2020/21 - Rose Bowl Semi-Final, Alabama 31 - Notre Dame 14; National Championship Game, Alabama 52 - Ohio State 24
- 2021 - Cotton Bowl Semi-Final, Alabama 27 - Cincinnati 6
ALABAMA PLAYOFF LOSSES
- 2014(15) - Sugar Bowl Semi-Final, Ohio State 42 - Alabama 35
- 2015/16 - National Championship Game, Clemson 35 - Alabama 31
- 2018/19 - National Championship Game, Clemson 44 - Alabama 16
- 2021/22 - National Championship Game, Georgia 33 - Alabama 18
- 2023(24) - Rose Bowl Semi-Final, Michigan 27 - Alabama 20
Oklahoma fans believe their program is ascending. A win over Alabama would provide proof. Alabama football fans are unsure if the Crimson Tide is rising or falling. Either a win or a loss will define that narrative.
Note: Alabama playoff history provided by the NCAA and Sports Reference