NORMAN, Okla. — Arriving in Norman, Oklahoma, with hopes of the SEC Championship and College Football Playoff, Alabama football saw them completely disappear against the Earlier.

Oklahoma dominated No. 7 Alabama by beating the Crimson Tide 24-3 Saturday night at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and handing Alabama its third defeat of the 2024 season.

With the loss to the Sooners, Alabama recorded a three-loss season for the first time since 2010.

Here are the Crimson Tide’s postgame notes following their 21-point loss to the Sooners:

Alabama football offense: F

Alabama wasn’t at Tennessee on Saturday night, but Jalen Milroe’s approach to running the Crimson Tide’s offense was eerily reminiscent of his performance against the Volunteers and Vanderbilt: running an inconsistent, ineffective offense where he tried to take on all the load.

And the Sooners’ defense was not fooled, limiting the Crimson Tide to 97 yards in the first half.

Opening the second half with a screen pass interception that set up a Sooners touchdown, Milroe completely collapsed after Oklahoma got another interception on the ensuing Alabama drive, a 49 yard pick six. Trailing 24-3, he threw his third pick of the night with just under seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter after being hit on the throw. It was a horrible second half performance for the Alabama quarterback – and a horrible performance for the offense as a whole.

Alabama defense: D-

The signs of Alabama’s defense were there of late with a Bray Hubbard forced fumble recovered by Deontae Lawson.

But instead of building momentum through turnovers, the Crimson Tide seemingly reverted to the old “bend but don’t break” defense, a defense that couldn’t take the lead and allowed quarterback Jackson Arnold to ‘escape the pressure and run. with an open field in front of him.

And with Lawson out for the rest of the game with a lower extremity injury, Alabama couldn’t stop the Sooner running game, which gashed the Crimson Tide, just like Vanderbilt did with the ‘Alabama unable to respond.

Alabama Special Teams: C

James Burnip had a busy first half. It wasn’t productive. None of his three punts went beyond 50 yards. None landed inside the 20-yard line. He took a punt over 50 yards and inside the 20-yard line in the second half.

Graham Nicholson made his 22-yard field goal attempt, the Crimson Tide’s only points.

Alabama Coaching: F

Alabama looked stunned Saturday night. Milroe couldn’t shake off his offensive woes. The defense couldn’t stop Oklahoma’s running game. And once the game got out of hand, Alabama showed no semblance of life.

Alabama vs. Oklahoma Football: F

Alabama ended all talk of an SEC championship and a College Football Playoff berth in 60 minutes in Norman, Oklahoma.

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at [email protected] or follow it @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This article was originally published on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football falls short in road loss to Oklahoma. Post-match bulletin