Alabama did what many thought they couldn't against Oklahoma in the first round of the College Football Playoff and sent the Sooners packing in their own home stadium. Alabama was able to come back from an early 17-0 deficit to beat Oklahoma 34-24 to move on in the CFP and will now get ready to face the Indiana Hoosiers.
Many didn't give Alabama a chance before the game, but them, when the Crimson Tide went down by so much so early, they certainly weren't building confidence with anyone. However, bit by bit, the Tide were able to scratch and claw their way to building a lead, and then once they got it, didn't relinquish it.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer certainly is one who should be given a lot of credit for this win, as he was able to pull his team together and lead them to the win. The offense was finally able to find some rhythm, but the defense probably was able to make the biggest adjustment, really getting pressure on Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer, taking away the Sooners' momentum.
Alabama proved a lot of people wrong, walking away with the win in Norman, and DeBoer continued his success against Top 10 teams.
Kalen DeBoer has proven he is a winner when it matters most
When Alabama hired DeBoer from Washington after Nick Saban announced his retirement, many questioned if it was the right decision. Others acknowledged that DeBoer was a proven winner and was able to do it with a Washington team that historically had not had a lot of success.
With the win against Oklahoma, that moved DeBoer to 3-1 against Top 10 teams, the one loss coming against Georgia in the SEC Championship two weeks ago. As a head coach, though, he is now 7-2 against Top 10 teams, the second loss coming against Michigan in the National Championship when he was with Washington.
Kalen DeBoer is now 3-1 vs Top 10 teams at Alabama. Over the past four years, DeBoer is 7-2 vs Top 10 teams and his teams came back from behind in five of those games
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 20, 2025
The noise has been really loud about DeBoer maybe leaving the Tide for the Michigan opening, but that stat above is a great reason for Alabama to love having DeBoer around. It is so crucial to win the big games at the right time, and DeBoer clearly knows how to do that.