DeBoer feels Alabama’s offense was ‘executing better’ against Oklahoma

Nov 15, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen Deboer looks on during the first half go the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images

When watching the Crimson Tide’s 23-21 loss to No. 11 Oklahoma on Saturday, it appeared as if the offense was struggling to move the ball and put points on the board, but on closer look, it was one of the Tide’s best offensive performances in recent weeks.

Ty Simpson finished the game with 326 passing yards, while running back Daniel Hill recorded 60 of the team’s 80 total rushing yards. Although less than 100 rushing yards isn’t ideal, it’s become normal for the Crimson Tide.

Rushing yards have been hard to come by for the Tide, as the 80 total yards on the ground were the most for Alabama since it recorded 120 against Tennessee on Oct. 18, and the 60 yards by Hill were the most by a single rusher since Oct. 4.

Oct. 4 was when Alabama faced Vanderbilt. That game is also the last time that Alabama saw passing production similar to what it saw on Saturday, as Simpson’s 326 passing yards were the most since he threw for 340 against the Commodores.

So, the offense’s performance was by no means one of the worst this season; the Tide just beat itself, mainly with the three turnovers that it coughed up. After the game, head coach Kalen DeBoer gave his evaluation of the offense.

“I think we had almost 275 yards in the first half,” DeBoer said. “What’s disappointing is the turnovers, because even the interception, we were working in deep into their territory… And then we just gave them the ball in our own territory a couple of times there. So, I felt like it wasn’t perfect, but we were facing a very good defense, and we understood that. And I felt like we were executing better today than we have probably in the previous couple of weeks against a very good defense.”

DeBoer also spoke about how he believes the rush attack took a step in the right direction and that Simpson managed the game well. With both of those things being true, it makes it even more unfortunate that the Tide lost.

The Crimson Tide will now shift its focus to Eastern Illinois, which it will face on Saturday before its game against Auburn. The Tide’s playoff hopes are still alive, so long as it can win out and beat the Tigers.