The Alabama Crimson Tide didn't have the same sort of soul-crushing defeat to the Oklahoma Sooners in Week 12 that they had to OU in Norman last year. Sure, Kalen DeBoer's first home loss, which came down to Ty Simpson not having a Heisman moment on the potential game-winning drive, stung, but it wasn't fatal for the 2025 season like that one was.
Not if that trend doesn't continue in the team's Week 14 matchup against the Auburn Tigers in the Iron Bowl from Jordan-Hare Stadium, anyway. But who's to say that won't be the case against DJ Durkin's top-30 defense? Sure, the talent isn't as high as Oklahoma's, but that might be mitigated by the home-field advantage.
USA Today's Paul Myerberg sounded largely optimistic about the Crimson Tide's next steps, which are a tune-up against the Eastern Illinois Panthers and the Iron Bowl. Myerberg didn't sound completely convinced Alabama is in the clear just yet, either.
"Down the line, the big fallout from the loss to OU will be seen in where Alabama falls in the playoff rankings, and whether the Crimson Tide end up earning a bye or even hosting in the opening round. An eight-game winning streak in the wake of a loss to Florida State in the opener still as Alabama in very good position to land in the tournament, potentially even as the top seed in the SEC. But after giving the game away with careless turnovers, the Tide will have to dodge disaster in the Iron Bowl against Auburn to avoid potentially missing the league championship game," Myerberg wrote.
Previously ranked No. 4 in the rankings, where the Crimson Tide falls figures to factor into the CFP selection committee's agenda. Is Alabama a priority over a team like the Notre Dame Fighting Irish? What would a potential SEC Championship Game loss do to their resume now?
University of Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek, who's taking on an increased leadership role in the CFP rankings as the committee's new chair, should have some clarity on that on Tuesday.
There won't be any idea how the Crimson Tide took this loss to the Sooners until November 29, almost assuredly at 2:30 P.M. CT on ABC.
Unless you want to put stock into the Eastern Illinois matchup. No need to. All the chips are in the middle of the table when the Iron Bowl goes down on the Plains in two weeks.