Simpson tells what he wish could have gone ‘different’ on last drive against Oklahoma

Nov 15, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Peyton Bowen (22) and defensive lineman David Stone (0) combine to tackle Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Oklahoma defeated Alabama 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

As the Crimson Tide trailed the Oklahoma Sooners  23-21 on Saturday evening, it regained possession of the ball with seven minutes left in the game after the defense managed to hold strong and force the Sooners to a three-and-out.

With as much time left as there was, there was a feeling that no matter what happened, the Tide would likely get the ball back. But one drive was all Alabama needed to put points on the board and win the game.

It was a task too tough for the Tide, however, as it ran off nearly the entire clock on 13 plays, and finished the drive at its own 48-yard line on a fourth-and-6 that it was unable to convert after quarterback Ty Simpson threw an inaccurate pass.

After the game, Simpson was asked if he had supreme confidence in the Tide’s ability to make the last drive count.

“Yeah, absolutely,” Simpson said. “I knew they were going to bring zero at some point or another; they brought it on that last play. Just wish I would’ve had a better route or a different type of answer.”

Even head coach Kalen DeBoer told reporters after the game that the intention was not for that to be the final offensive drive for the Tide, but that’s how it happened, and now Alabama will have to bounce back and win out.

“Everybody’s mad,” Simpson said. “There’s about a handful of plays that we wish we could have back; the outcome would have been different. But these guys are resilient, these guys fight their tails off every single day. We’re just going to stay together. We still got two more games, and we control our own destiny, and that’s what we’re going to do.”

Simpson also talked about being “very confident” that Alabama will bounce back after the loss. The Crimson Tide does still control its own destiny, because an SEC Championship game appearance and playoff bid are still very much alive.

Alabama will have to win out, beating Eastern Illinois and Auburn to secure a spot in the SEC Championship game and likely facing No. 3 Texas A&M. If the Tide can win, it will ensure that it has a spot in the playoffs when the time comes.