Legend Versus Legacy: Alabama Battles Oklahoma

Nov 21, 20242 min read

Oklahoma — © Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

It was 1962 when, arguably, the two most storied franchises in college football’s history first met on the gridiron. The Alabama Crimson Tide (8-2, 4-2 Southeastern Conference) won that game against the Oklahoma Sooners (5-5, 1-5 SEC) 17-0 in the Orange Bowl, which took place in Miami. The two teams wouldn’t meet again until the Bluebonnet Bowl in 1970, when the game ended in a 24-24 tie. The No. 7-ranked Crimson Tide travels to Norman, Okla. on Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m. EST to face the Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

The Crimson Tide did not win another game against the Sooners until 2018, an epic 45-34 win in the College Football Playoff Semifinal. Alabama was ranked No. 1 and Oklahoma was No. 4 entering that contest, which also took place in Miami. Oklahoma leads the all-time series 3-2-1 and the Sooners won the two teams' most recent meeting in 2018. The two teams haven’t met in the regular season since 2003, where the Crimson Tide earned its first win since 1962. Oklahoma, one of the newest teams in the storied SEC, left the Big 12 Conference for greener pastures following last season.

The Crimson Tide and the Sooners have met only once in Norman, Okla.

© Gary Cosby Jr./USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Oklahoma History with the SEC

The Sooners are 110-49-8 against current SEC members. That number does not include Texas, Texas A&M and Missouri, who were previous Big 12 rivals of the Sooners. If you remove them from the equation, then the Sooners are 24-13-3 against current SEC squads. In the 21st century, the Sooners are 8-6 against the SEC.

Alabama Legacy Against the Big 12

The Crimson Tide are 8-5 in its history against teams from the Big 12.. Only the Sooners have a winning record against the Crimson Tide. Alabama is 3-2 against the other newest member of the SEC, Texas. There is something beautiful about a clash of legendary teams.

Oklahoma and Alabama. The Crimson Tide and The Sooners. "Roll Tide" and "Boomer Sooner." However one wants to look at this Nov. 23 game, one thing is certain. When those legendary helmets line up across from one another and the lights are bright, a new twist on old traditions will unfold.

History will meet legacy in a new era of college football. Legendary, indeed.