Oklahoma vs. Alabama: Time, Date, TV Channel, 2026 College Football Playoff Preview
It’s bowl season, which means we have a lot of football to watch between Dec. 13 and Jan. 19! Ohio State, Utah, Georgia Southern, Army, Texas A&M — and just about everyone in between — will take part in a total of 47 games that will ultimately conclude with the 2026 CFP National Championship.
NESN has you covered with previews for each and every game — with our next contest kicking things off for the 2026 College Football Playoff:
2026 College Football Playoff First-Round Game
Matchup: Oklahoma Sooners vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Date: Friday, Dec. 19, 2025
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Stadium: Memorial Stadium — Norman, Okla.
TV: ESPN, ABC
Game Overview
The 2026 College Football Playoff kicks off with an outstanding matchup between No. 8 Oklahoma and No. 9 Alabama — the third ever rematch in the college football playoff.
Oklahoma boasts back-to-back victories over Alabama, including a 24-3 victory that knocked them out of the playoff hunt in 2024 and a 23-21 victory earlier in 2025.
It’s just the second season in which playoff games are played on campus, with all four home teams (Ohio State, Penn State, Texas, Notre Dame) taking home the victory in 2024.
Team Overviews
Oklahoma Sooners
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Brent Venables
Record: 10–2
Oklahoma might have been victorious in that matchup earlier this season, but these are two completely different teams this time around.
John Mateer hasn’t been the same since undergoing thumb surgery on Sept. 24, finishing with a 12-10 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2025 after finishing with a 29-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2024. The Sooners have essentially been winning despite his efforts, as their defense has allowed just 13.9 points per game (7th of 136).
Gentry Williams and Kendel Dolby were listed as out on the club’s availability report, however, so perhaps there are cracks starting to form.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Conference: SEC
Head Coach: Kalen DeBoer
Record: 10-3
Alabama did not look the part of a playoff team in their embarrassing 28-7 loss to Georgia in the 2025 SEC Championship Game.
The Crimson Tide didn’t exactly get stomped when they faced Oklahoma earlier this season, however…
Ty Simpson was able to throw the ball all over the place, with two ugly throws and one back-breaking interception really changing the perception of his performance once things turned out the way they turned out. The Crimson Tide will be without superstar pass-rusher LT Overton, but other than that, have gained health and some unfortunate — but helpful — experience in recent weeks.
Players to Watch
Oklahoma
QB John Mateer
RB Xavier Robinson
WR Isaiah Sategna
WR Deion Burks
TE Jaren Kanak
DL R Mason Thomas
DL Taylor Wein
DB Eli Bowen
DB Peyton Bowen
Alabama
QB Ty Simpson
WR Germie Bernard
WR Ryan Williams
LB Deontae Lawson
LB Yhonzae Pierre
DB Bray Hubbard
Key Notes
Oklahoma has a surprisingly decent all-time record against Alabama (5-2-1).
The Crimson Tide were ranked No. 9 in the CFP Poll, but No. 11 in the AP Poll. The Sooners were ranked No. 8 in both.
Alabama hasn’t lost to the same opponent twice in the same season since 1893, when they lost twice to the Birmingham Athletic Club.
Betting Lines
DraftKings Sportsbook: Oklahoma -1.5 | O/U 39.5
FanDuel Sportsbook: Oklahoma -1.5 | O/U 40.5
BetMGM Sportsbook: Oklahoma -1.5 | O/U 40.5
The Pick: Alabama ML