What’s the secret to helping Ty Simpson get into a rhythm?

Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) gestures in the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family OK Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The “Old Ty” returned for Alabama midway through its comeback win over Oklahoma. It just took a while to find him.

A slumping Ty Simpson got off on the wrong foot against the Sooners over the weekend, completing two of his first six passes while leading Alabama to three straight three-and-outs. Simpson came one play away from extending that streak to four failed drives before connecting with receiver Lotzeir Brooks for a crucial third-down reception to breathe some life into the Crimson Tide’s offense.

The 29-yard completion on third-and-5 extended what went on to become Alabama’s first scoring drive of the game. It also jump-started Simpson, as he completed 14 of his next 21 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns without an interception to lead the Tide back from 17 points down to a 34-24 win.

So what’s the secret to getting Simpson going? Head coach Kalen DeBoer believes it can be as simple as starting with a big play and building from there.

“Sometimes it’s just that catch Lotty had,” DeBoer said during a Monday press conference. “Sometimes it’s just making a throw. Some quarterbacks like to get hit early in the game. We prefer that not to be the case. I don’t know how Ty feels about it.”

Despite his early struggles, Simpson’s message to the offense remained the same during Alabama’s comeback win.

“Keep going,” Simpson said following the game. “It’s kind of been our message all season. Situational football, right? There’s probably a number of times where we’ve been in that situation before. We just kind of did what we do.”

While Alabama was able to erase a three-score deficit over the weekend, that won’t be a winning formula moving on in the College Football Playoff.

No. 9 Alabama will now face top-rated Indiana in the Rose Bowl for a College Football Playoff quarterfinal. The Hoosiers rank second nationally, limiting their opponents to 10.8 points per game. Alabama likely won’t be able to afford digging itself into much of a deficit next time out, so it will need Simpson to be sharp from the start.

Finding a rhythm against the Hoosiers won’t be easy. However, Alabama’s momentum-changing fourth possession might have cracked the code on how to get Simpson going when he’s in a funk.

While Simpson’s deep ball to Brooks sparked the first scoring drive, the Tide was able to move down the field thanks to a series of short passes.

Simpson continued the drive by firing a strike to tight end Josh Cuevas on a go-route up the seam for 23 yards. Later, he hit Germie Bernard on a 4-yard curl route on third-and-6 from the Oklahoma 14-yard line. From there, he converted the ensuing fourth down by firing in a short curl to Brooks, who slipped past three defenders before spinning into the end zone.

Alabama continued to hit Oklahoma with a series of short passes, as Simpson finished the night 12 of 18 for 75 yards and a touchdown on throws that traveled less than 10 yards past the line of scrimmage, according to Pro Football Focus.

That quick strike attack not only negated Oklahoma’s pass rush but also set up some downfield throws, like the 30-yard touchdown from Simpson to Brooks to put Alabama up 24-17 early in the third quarter.

“I mean we hit a lot of quick passes that got him into a rhythm,” DeBoer said. “And it was outside and inside. You know, Lotty has his catches. Cuevas had his catches, kind of inside. I think it was later in the game maybe Jay Lindsey had a catch. You know, Isaiah [Horton] caught some on the outside a little bit.

“And then what started happening is you got in a rhythm, and now you saw the explosives and the ball down the field and the one-on-ones versus man, at least on a couple of them.”

Alabama will likely continue to deploy that plan against an Indiana defense that is tied for sixth nationally with 39 sacks. While the quick passes should keep Simpson safer in the pocket, the Tide’s playmakers will also need to do their part in helping their quarterback.

While Brooks and fellow receiver Germie Bernard both pulled off highlight catches against Oklahoma, Alabama still recorded four drops against the Sooners. That will need to improve, no matter how long Simpson has to throw moving forward.

“It goes both ways. Guys got to make plays, like make the easy play,” DeBoer said. “We still had too many drops. There were some simple plays where, second-and-6, we just got to catch the ball on the sideline and go get 3 or 4 yards or more — break a tackle, and you got a first down. Some of those things where we still missed on, we got to clean up. And I know our guys will continue to work on that.”

Simpson’s 152.0 passer rating against Oklahoma was his highest since Alabama’s 37-20 win over Tennessee on Oct. 18. It also snapped a four-game stretch where his passer rating had dropped in every outing.

Now the key for Alabama will be keeping Simpson in a rhythm throughout the playoff.

No. 9 Alabama (11-3) will take on No. 1 Indiana (13-0) in the Rose Bowl at 3 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on ESPN.