Alabama had its college football hopes taking a solid hit following Saturday’s 23-21 loss to Oklahoma in front of more than 100,000 fans in Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Crimson Tide had their eight-game winning streak snapped by a determined Sooners’ side, who tied their victims at 8-2 win-loss and could result in a shakeup in the playoff board with two weeks remaining in the regular season.
The latest setback led former Alabama running back and Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram II to criticize Ty Simpson and the current batch of Crimson Tide players for not playing up to the standards of previous Alabama squads that were perennial college football contenders.
Mark Ingram II Was Upset With Alabama’s Performance Against Oklahoma
Ingram, who earned the Heisman Trophy in 2009 after registering 1,992 all-purpose yards and 20 combined touchdowns (17 rushing and three receiving), was not pleased with Alabama’s performance against Oklahoma, despite the team recording more yardage (406 yards to 212) and first downs (23 to 12).
He was particularly disappointed in Simpson and the offensive line. They gave up three turnovers, including two fumbles and one interception. These mistakes allowed the Sooners to score 17 points off the Crimson Tide’s lousy ball handling.
“Play like that, you get what you deserve #RollTide,” Ingram wrote on his X account immediately after the game.
Play like that, you get what you deserve. #RollTide
— Mark Ingram II (@markingramII) November 15, 2025
The veteran running back, who played 12 seasons with New Orleans, Baltimore, and Houston, rightly weighed in on his alma mater’s upset loss to Oklahoma. Kalen DeBoer’s team let the Sooners stay in the game despite having more chances and possession to score.
Alabama quarterback Simpson’s errant throw let Oklahoma’s Eli Bowen intercept the ball and score. Simpson was sacked twice by Oklahoma linebacker Kip Lewis and recorded a fumble, which set up a Sooners field goal and gave them a 23-21 lead.
MORE: Fans Turn on Ty Simpson as Alabama Falls to Shocking Oklahoma Defeat
Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams also committed a fumble; after his 14-yard reception, Oklahoma defensive back Jayden Hardy slapped the ball loose, and it was recovered by Oklahoma linebacker Sammy Omosigho at the Crimson Tide’s 30-yard line.
This turnover set up the Sooners’ offense, and Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer then found a hole in Alabama’s defense, running for 20 yards into the end zone for a touchdown.
Alabama’s comedy of errors negated the team’s plus-10 turnover margin before the SEC showdown. Entering Saturday’s clash with Oklahoma, the Crimson Tide were ranked fourth nationally and first in the SEC.
The Sooners, however, had a reputation for forcing more than one takeaway per game. This week, their defensive line repeated what they did to Tennessee the previous week, forcing three turnovers to earn a surprise win. Those forced turnovers came after getting four in its previous seven games. The Sooners have taken advantage of those miscues by scoring 37 points.
Aside from this, Alabama failed miserably on special teams, missing a 36-yard field goal and allowing a 46-yard punt return that set up Oklahoma’s first score.
The Crimson Tide will have a chance to recover from the loss against Eastern Illinois on November 22 and conclude their regular season with a showdown against Auburn on November 29.
