Alabama’s loss to Oklahoma on Saturday was emblematic of the season for the Tide – stunning, question-filled and rife with what-ifs.

Just a week after blowing out LSU at Death Valley, Jalen Milroe and the Alabama offense were held to just three points while the Sooner’s injury-stricken offense ran straight to a 24-3 victory. Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold and running back Xavier Robinson combined for 238 yards on the ground – the most of any team against the Crimson Tide.

“I mean, that was the story for them,” Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said.

“Those guys, inside, outside, different ways, just moving the chains and then hitting the explosives that they had. It seemed like they were always falling forward.”

Alabama controlled its own destiny to head to both the SEC Championship and College Football Playoff headed in, but now have no chance to make the conference title game and a slim one to make the CFP.  ESPN’s playoff predictor still gives the Tide a 37 percent chance, but they would need a lot of help to have any chance.

A mere three points

Nick Sheridan’s offense ground to a halt as Milroe was held to just 7 yards on the ground. The Tide offense has revolved around the quarterback’s exceptional ground game. When he’s been able to run, the entire offense seems to flow. In each of their losses to Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and Oklahoma, Alabama was held under 90 yards rushing. Milroe was held to 10, 11 and 7 yards respectively in those games.

Turnovers didn’t help the Tide either. Milroe threw three interceptions on the night, finishing 11 for 26 for just 164 yards passing.

“I think stepping back, it just felt like early in the game there were different things – drops, balls we lost in the lights – different, uncharacteristic things,” DeBoer said.

“Weird things that happened. I thought [Milroe] was actually putting the ball where he needed to. We just needed to help him out a little bit.”

The three point performance marks the lowest point total Alabama has scored since 2004.

Up Next

Alabama will return home to battle Auburn in the Iron Bowl. Kick is set for 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC. The Tigers defeated Texas A&M in 4OT on Saturday and will need a win against the Tide to be bowl-eligible.