Alabama Falls to No. 10 in CFP Rankings After Shocking Loss to Oklahoma

After a stunning defeat to Oklahoma, the Alabama Crimson Tide tumbled out of playoff contention, landing at No. 10 in the third week of the College Football Playoff rankings released on November 18, 2025. The drop wasn’t just a stumble—it was a freefall. Fans in Tuscaloosa woke up to a reality they hadn’t faced in over a decade: their team, once a perennial favorite for the national title, now sits on the outside looking in. The loss to the University of Oklahoma Sooners, though not fully detailed in reports, clearly shook the committee’s confidence. And with only four spots available for the playoff semifinals, Alabama’s path just got a lot narrower.

What the Rankings Say—And What They Don’t

The College Football Playoff committee’s third release of the 2025 season confirmed what many feared: Alabama is no longer in the conversation for the top four. Both the Associated Press Poll and the American Football Coaches Association Coaches Poll mirrored the CFP’s decision, placing Alabama at No. 10. That’s rare alignment—usually there’s a point or two of divergence between media and coaches—but this time, consensus was brutal. The Tuscaloosa News, Alabama’s local paper, reported the ranking without fanfare, simply stating the facts: “Alabama is ranked at No. 10 in both of the latest Coaches and Associated Press polls.” No sugarcoating.

Meanwhile, Roll Bama Roll, the fan-driven SB Nation hub, went straight for the jugular with its headline: “Alabama Football Plummets in the CFP Rankings.” Staff writer Brent Taylor’s piece, published at 7:08 PM PST on November 18, didn’t just report the news—it captured the emotional earthquake. By the time the article went live, readers had left over 7,070 comments. That’s not engagement—that’s a digital town hall in meltdown. One user summed it up: “We’re not just behind. We’re irrelevant.”

The Oklahoma Loss: A Turning Point

The trigger? A loss to the University of Oklahoma. We don’t know the score. We don’t know if it was in Norman or Tuscaloosa. We don’t even know if it was a last-second field goal or a four-turnover disaster. But we do know this: the committee saw something in that game they hadn’t seen all season. A team that looked dominant in September suddenly looked vulnerable in November. Oklahoma, ranked No. 12 before the matchup, didn’t just win—they exposed cracks in Alabama’s offensive line, defensive discipline, and quarterback decision-making. The Crimson Tide had won 12 straight against the Sooners. This wasn’t an upset. It was a reckoning.

What’s more, Alabama’s schedule didn’t help. After a 3-0 start against non-conference foes, their SEC slate turned brutal. Losses to LSU and now Oklahoma—both ranked in the top 15—created a perfect storm. Meanwhile, teams like Georgia, Ohio State, and Penn State kept winning. And in the CFP world, resume matters more than reputation. Alabama’s résumé now looks like a highlight reel with one big, ugly stain.

What’s at Stake: Playoff Dreams on Life Support

Only four teams make the College Football Playoff. No exceptions. No at-large mercy. And right now, Alabama isn’t even in the top 10 of the committee’s internal priority list. The last time they missed the playoff entirely was 2017. Since then, they’ve appeared in six of seven editions. This year? They’re fighting just to stay relevant. The next ranking drops on November 25, and every win from here on out matters. Beat LSU? Good. Beat Auburn? Better. But if they lose to Arkansas or miss a field goal in overtime against Mississippi State? The season could end in a New Year’s Six bowl—still prestigious, but a far cry from the national title stage they’ve dominated for over a decade.

Coaches are staying quiet. Head coach Kalen DeBoer hasn’t held a press conference since the Oklahoma game. His silence speaks louder than any statement. Meanwhile, former Alabama defensive coordinator and current ESPN analyst Kirby Smart—now at Georgia—told SEC Network last week: “When you’re used to being in the top four, you forget how hard it is to get back. It’s not about talent. It’s about consistency under pressure.” That’s the cold truth Alabama now faces.

The Road Ahead: Can They Recover?

The math is simple: Alabama must win out. That means victories over Arkansas, Auburn, and possibly LSU in the SEC Championship Game—if they even qualify. But even a perfect finish might not be enough. The committee loves momentum. And right now, Alabama’s is heading south. Meanwhile, teams like Washington, Oregon, and even a surging Florida State are climbing. The Crimson Tide’s only hope? A collapse among the top eight. One loss by Ohio State. Two by Georgia. A shocker in the Big Ten Championship. That’s the scenario that could open the door.

But here’s the twist: the committee doesn’t reward hope. They reward results. And Alabama’s results, over the last four weeks, have been inconsistent at best. The offense, once explosive, now averages 24.3 points per game—down from 38.1 in September. The defense, once suffocating, has allowed 17+ points in three of their last four games. This isn’t a fluke. It’s a trend.

What This Means for Alabama Football

This isn’t just about rankings. It’s about identity. For a program that’s won five national titles since 2009, being ranked outside the top four is a cultural shock. Recruiting, donations, TV contracts—all hinge on relevance. A year ago, Alabama was a lock for the playoff. Now, they’re the team everyone says, “They’re good, but…”

There’s a generational shift happening. The era of Nick Saban’s dominance is over. DeBoer is a great coach, but he’s not Saban. And the players? They’re talented, but they’re not the same breed of blue-chip recruits who once flocked to Tuscaloosa just to be part of history. The program is transitioning. And transitions are messy.

Still, Alabama doesn’t quit. Not here. Not now. The next two weeks will define whether this is a temporary stumble—or the beginning of a new chapter. One thing’s certain: the Crimson Tide won’t be the same team they were in September. And the fans? They’re not the same fans either.