Oklahoma Upsets Alabama, Shaking Up College Football Playoff Picture

Norman, OK – In a stunning upset, the Oklahoma Sooners defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 23-21 on November 15, 2025. This victory leaves both teams with an 8-2 record and significantly impacts the College Football Playoff (CFP) race.

The win boosts Oklahoma’s chances of securing a playoff spot, while Alabama’s path becomes murkier. The weekend results mean the playoff landscape is more uncertain, with teams like Notre Dame also in contention.

With the new CFP format this season, the top four highest-ranked teams are awarded byes in the first round, while the next eight will compete in knockout games at the campus sites of seeds five through eight. Oklahoma’s recent performance has placed them firmly in the playoff discussion.

“Welcome to the party, Oklahoma,” said ESPN analyst Kyle Bonagura. “With their win against Alabama, they will likely rise in the rankings when they are updated this week. They have two more games left against Missouri and LSU which they are favored to win.”

Analysts are also keeping a close eye on where Alabama will land in the rankings. “Despite their loss, they have quality wins, but the playoff picture is getting complicated,” Bonagura noted.

Oklahoma’s remaining schedule could secure their position in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Alabama’s upcoming games will be crucial as they prepare to take on Auburn in the Iron Bowl.

In the context of the broader postseason, the regular season has just two weeks left, and several teams are jockeying for position. “A lot can change in the next couple of weeks,” said analyst Mark Schlabach.

As teams like Georgia and Texas A&M push for playoff spots, the dynamics of the CFP bracket continue to evolve following Oklahoma’s significant victory.