After getting blown out and fully dominated by Oklahoma on Saturday evening in a 24-3 loss, it’s most likely over for the 2024 Alabama Crimson Tide in relation to their School Soccer Playoff hopes.
The loss drops Alabama to 8-3 on the season, and that’s most likely going to be one too many losses to get into the 12-team area.
Particularly when two of these losses have come in opposition to a now 6-5 Oklahoma staff and a 6-5 Vanderbilt staff.
Alabama entered the day ranked No. 7 within the newest rankings.
This loss was particularly unhealthy, as Alabama by no means appeared to be within the sport and had no reply for Oklahoma’s protection.
Quarterback Jalen Milroe performed one in every of his worst video games of the season (and doubtless his faculty profession), finishing simply 11-of-26 passes for less than 164 yards, zero touchdowns and three interceptions.
A type of interceptions was returned 49 yards for an Oklahoma landing within the third quarter to assist put the sport away.
Even worse, Alabama’s protection was shredded by the Sooners’ operating sport, permitting a pair of 100-yard rushers. It was an entire, team-wide failure in a sport it needed to have.
There might be plenty of debate about power of convention and resumes in relation to the playoff area, particularly because it pertains to groups like Indiana, however there is no such thing as a manner a three-loss staff (even within the SEC) can get into the sector over any one-loss staff and even most two-loss groups. You can also make an argument for a two-loss Alabama staff. You can’t make one for a three-loss Alabama staff. Particularly given the way in which this loss occurred.
Apart from what it does to Alabama’s playoff probabilities, it additionally ends an especially spectacular streak for this system.
That is the primary time Alabama has misplaced greater than two video games in a season because the 2010 season, snapping a streak of 13 consecutive seasons with two losses or much less.
Total it has been a disappointing debut season for first-year coach Kalen DeBoer. Following an all-time nice like Nick Saban was by no means going to be simple, and even when Alabama finally ends up successful 10 video games this season that’s nonetheless going to be seen as a failure given the expectations this system carries.