Oklahomahas hadAlabamaandcoach Kalen DeBoer'snumber the last two seasons. Can theSoonersgo 3-for-3 against the Crimson Tide in just over a calendar year?
Oklahoma finished 6-7 in 2024 but dominated Alabama 24-3 at home. OU then defeated Alabama again in 2025, taking down the Crimson Tide 23-21 on the road. The two blue-blood programs will face off again in the first round of theCollege Football Playoffon Friday, Dec. 19, in Norman, Oklahoma.
REQUIRED READING:From OU football's defense to Alabama QB Ty Simpson, answering top CFP questions
Sooners coach Brent Venables has given DeBoer fits in two seasons, as he has against many elite offensive minds in his successful career as one of the best defensive minds in college football. Both teams have had multiple weeks to prepare for each other, though.
Alabama hasn't lost to the same team twice in a season since 1893, its second season in varsity football competition. But Oklahoma has home-field advantage and the recent edge, making the matchup perhaps the most intriguing first-round CFP game.
Why has Oklahoma had such success against the Crimson Tide in recent matchups? Here's a look into why the Sooners have had the edge against Alabama.
Why Oklahoma has had success vs Alabama in recent years
The short answer is turnovers.
In 2024,Oklahoma forced three turnovers, one of which was returned for a touchdown by linebacker Kip Lewis. The Sooners had one turnover of their own.
The Sooners won the turnover battle again in 2025, forcing three turnovers while committing none themselves. Oklahoma had another pick-six, this time by defensive back Eli Bowen.
Overall, Alabama is -5 in the turnover margin against the Sooners in the two schools' previous two matchups. Ball security will certainly be a key for Alabama in its CFP matchup with Oklahoma, as it is in any matchup.
"We cannot walk out of that game -3 in the turnover margin again," Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack told reporters Dec. 16.
The Sooners' pass rushers have also put pressure on Alabama's quarterbacks in the past two outings. Oklahoma had nine tackles for loss and a sack against the Crimson Tide in 2024 and then had four sacks and five tackles for loss in 2025.
Oklahoma leads the nation with 41 sacks this season.
Alabama outgained Oklahoma by nearly 200 yards in their November matchup, totaling 406 yards to OU's 212 yards. Oklahoma only scored one offensive touchdown in the game on a 20-yard touchdown run that was set up by – you guessed it – a turnover.
Alabama has failed to create a turnover in only two games in 2025, both of which resulted in losses. The first was against Oklahoma, and the second was against Georgia in a 28-7 loss in the SEC Championship game.
It's clear turnovers have impacted Alabama's matchups with the Sooners since DeBoer was hired to replace legendary coach Nick Saban. It's also fair to assume the Crimson Tide are due for some positive turnover regression.
Or are they? There's a chance Venables' defense, which is full of coverage disguises and zone blitzes, has just forced Alabama into uncomfortable situations. It also hasn't helped that the Crimson Tide have struggled in the run game, whichranks 116th in Division I FBSat 116.2 yards per game. Oklahoma, meanwhile, ranks fifth nationally allowing 81.4 yards per game.
"We really attacked and forced major turnovers," Venables said after Oklahoma's win over Alabama in 2025. "Sometimes people say, "Well, if that hadn't happened…" but it didhappen, and we forced it. We created pressure up front, we ran to the ball, we attacked the football.
"There were several plays where we didn't get the takeaway, but we were right there. Turnovers are the most important stat in football. We said all week that whoever wins that stat would win the game."
Alabama didn't struggle to move the ball against Oklahoma in their first matchup this season. Even one turnover by the Sooners offense could've been the difference as quarterback Ty Simpson passed for 326 yards in the contest.
Quarterback John Mateer and the Sooners offense have struggled this season, ranking 88th nationally in total offense (353.7 yards per game). Oklahoma was able to win games by leaning on its defense and strong special teams play, which includes Lou Groza Award-winning kicker Tate Sandell and first-team All-SEC punter Grayson Miller.
If Alabama can force some turnovers of its own, it wildly increases is chances against the Sooners.
The Crimson Tide haven't had much success doing so against Venables and Oklahoma, though, and might need to focus on taking care of the ball first to have a chance to move on in the CFP.
Oklahoma record vs Alabama
Oklahoma has a 5-2-1 all-time record against Alabama, and is one of only a handful of programs to have a winning record against the Crimson Tide.
Texas is 8-2-1 against Alabama, with Notre Dame holding a 5-3 record and Michigan a 4-3 record. There's also Rice (3-0), TCU (3-2), Birmingham Athletic Club (3-2), Boston College (3-1) and UCLA (2-1).
For some reason, the Sooners show up when it comes to facing Alabama. They'll need to show up again in one of the program's biggest games in recent memory.
Here's a look at each of the final scores in Oklahoma vs. Alabama matchups:
2025: Oklahoma 23, Alabama 21 (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
2024: Oklahoma 24, Alabama 3 (Norman, Oklahoma)
2018: Alabama 45, Oklahoma 34 (CFP semifinal)
2013: Oklahoma 45, Alabama 31 (Sugar Bowl)
2003: Oklahoma 20, Alabama 13 (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
2022: Oklahoma 37, Alabama 27 (Norman, Oklahoma)
1970: Oklahoma 24, Alabama 24 (Bluebonnet Bowl)
1962: Alabama 17, Oklahoma 0 (Orange Bowl)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Why Oklahoma has had recent success against Alabama ahead of CFP
