Oklahoma storms field early, shakes up College Football Playoff picture with Alabama upset

Not many gave Oklahoma a chance to win against Alabama. Not only were the Crimson Tide huge favorites in Vegas but the two programs were trending in different directions. Kalen DeBoer‘s squad was considered a favorite to make a College Football Playoff run while Brent Venables faced plenty of questions.

But there is a reason the games are played. Oklahoma went out and controlled the game for all four quarters, beating Alabama 24-3. This year’s landscape has now completely changed in the upset of Week 13.

Fans in Norman were so excited, they wanted to get on the field a little early. With 28 seconds left on the clock, people began to flood onto the field. Oklahoma had not stormed the field for a home win in nearly a quarter century.

Ironically, it showed on Saturday night as fans showed up to the party with time remaining on the clock. You can check out the moment here.

OKLAHOMA FANS RUSH THE FIELD WITH 28 SECONDS LEFT pic.twitter.com/4Y2UCZkYwW

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 24, 2024

Offensive struggles have been the story of the season for Oklahoma. Nothing has gone well for the unit, no matter who was at quarterback. Venables decided to fire Seth Litrell and make his second quarterback change of the year, back to Jackson Arnold.

Joe Jon Finley took over as the play caller and his use for Arnold as a runner won Oklahoma the game. Arnold finished with 131 yards on 25 carries, getting whatever he wanted against the Alabama defense. Similar to what we saw from Vanderbilt in their upset win, the game plan was executed perfectly by the Sooners.

Alabama entered Saturday night as the No. 7 team ranked in the country. In a jumble of two-loss SEC teams near the top 10, the committee decided they would be at the top. Now, two of them have dropped games as Ole Miss also lost.

Making the SEC Championship was also in their hands heading into the game. Beat Oklahoma and then Auburn in the Iron Bowl, Alabama would be making a familiar trip to Atlanta. A loss eliminates them from contention, like in the College Football Playoff too.

Oklahoma has one game remaining on the schedule, heading to Death Valley for a showdown against LSU. Going on the road and getting a victory will mean the Sooners are bowl-eligible, getting extra practices plus another game.

LSU preparation will come on Sunday, though. For now, the focus in Norman is celebrating the great upset win over Alabama.