Alabama vs. Oklahoma live updates: Tide vs. Sooners rematch headlines in College Football Playoff first round

Live updates, highlights and analysis as Alabama and Oklahoma clash in a first-round CFP game

NORMAN, Okla. -- No. 9 Alabama and No. 8 Oklahoma meet for a rematch in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Friday. The Sooners defeated the Tide a month ago in Tuscaloosa to cement themselves as a postseason contender.

This time, Alabama (10-3) must travel to Oklahoma (10-2), with the rare need for revenge motivating the Tide to keep their championship dreams alive. Alabama hasn't lost to the same team twice In a season ever, but Oklahoma has the opportunity to knock off the Tide for a third straight time as members of the SEC, a rare feat for any team against the blue-blood program from Tuscaloosa.

Oklahoma leans on its No. 7 scoring defense, which propelled it to three wins against ranked opponents. The Sooners forced three turnovers, including a pick six, to knock off Alabama 23-21 in November. Alabama's offense has slowed down of late because of injuries in the backfield, but two of the top three running backs, including starter Jam Miller, are expected to return in this first-round game.

The question for Oklahoma is whether its struggling offense can find a rhythm this week after struggling to score more than two touchdowns in the SEC for the last two months of the season. Quarterback John Mateer had an additional two weeks to rest his surgically repaired hand, but is that what's limiting the offense? We'll find out together tonight in Norman.

Keep it locked here as CBS Sports provides you with live updates, highlights and analysis as Alabama battles with Oklahoma in a first-round College Football Playoff game.

[Dec 19, 2025 at 5:00 pm ET · Brandon Marcello]

Alabama should have beaten Oklahoma the first time, but turnovers -- and the lack of a rushing attack -- doomed the Tide. I'm not expecting drastic changes for the Tide's offense overnight, but they're healthier and have the better quarterback. Oklahoma is an underdog at home for the first time this season and the total (40.5) is the lowest in any CFP game ever. The under has hit in Alabama's last five games and Oklahoma is 10-2. I'm not sure I'd touch the total, but I just don't see Alabama losing to a team for the second time.  Pick: Alabama -1

Alabama vs. Oklahoma prediction, pick, spread, odds: Tide, Sooners rematch in CFP first round

Brandon Marcello

[Dec 19, 2025 at 7:25 pm ET · Brandon Marcello]

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer hasn't looked the same since undergoing surgery to repair a broken thumb in his right hand in late September. He returned to play Texas on Oct. 11, and suffered his first loss while throwing three interceptions and completing only 52.6% of his passes. The drop-off since the surgery has been noticeable, but with three weeks of rest since the regular-season finale, Is Mateer finally healthy?

The quarterback is not wearing a wrap on his throwing hand tonight for the first time since the surgery. That's certainly a notable change.

Mateer has completed only 58.6% of his throws, with six touchdowns and seven Interceptions since the surgery. Remember, he was a Heisman Trophy frontrunner early in the season after beating Michigan and Auburn, when he completed 67.7% of his passes for six touchdowns and three picks.

Oh, and he was more productive on the ground back then, too, when he ran for five of his seven touchdowns.

[Dec 19, 2025 at 7:11 pm ET · Brandon Marcello]

The final availability report for Alabama-Oklahoma has been posted. As expected, elite pass rusher LT Overton will not play for the Crimson Tide tonight.

[Dec 19, 2025 at 7:08 pm ET · Brandon Marcello]

The sun has set on the prairie, and Norman is amped up for playoff football. The setting here was breathtaking at sunset.

[Dec 19, 2025 at 7:00 pm ET · Chip Patterson]

Every team has earned the right to star in the College Football Playoff and vie for the national championship. At the same time, however, each team in the field has a fatal flaw that could hold them back from ultimately reaching that goal? 

What might hinder Alabama and Oklahoma from completing the mission? Check it out below: 

The College Football Playoff's 12 teams all had great seasons, but none are without a fatal flaw

Chip Patterson

[Dec 19, 2025 at 6:30 pm ET · David Cobb]

Both Alabama QB Ty Simpson and Oklahoma QB John Mateer have been two of the most exciting signal callers in the country this season. At one point, each was considered a favorite for the Heisman Trophy, though for differing reasons, neither were ultimately able to hoist college football's most prized individual honor. 

But, where do they sit among their peers in the field? Check it out in our CFP QB Power Rankings below: 

College Football Playoff QB Power Rankings: Indiana's Fernando Mendoza earns top spot ahead of first round

David Cobb

[Dec 19, 2025 at 6:00 pm ET · Richard Johnson]

When it comes to these two SEC behemoths and blue blood brands, the consequences of an early exit on Friday loom larger than most. 

Read more below: 

What early CFP exit would mean for each team: Kalen DeBoer's future, Oregon needs to avoid massive letdown

Richard Johnson

[Dec 19, 2025 at 5:30 pm ET · John Talty]

I would listen to arguments for Ole Miss' Pete Golding and Miami's Mario Cristobal, but Kalen DeBoer sticks out to me as the head coach with the most riding on this weekend's results.

It's been a wild rollercoaster ride of the first two years for DeBoer as Nick Saban's replacement. There have been high highs like the wins over Georgia and the 4-0 October record this season. There have been low lows like the season-opening loss to Florida State and back-to-back losses to the Oklahoma Sooners. And, in recent weeks, there have been reports of Penn State and Michigan interest in DeBoer, though the Alabama coach has done his best to tamp down the speculation. 

READ MORE BELOW:

College Football Playoff first-round storylines: Coaches stretched thin, a Festivus airing of grievances

John Talty