The Alabama Crimson Tide is largely responsible for the disastrous defeat against Oklahoma

Whether Alabama football fans want to admit it or not, this season has fallen far short of expectations. The Crimson Tide (8-3, 4-3 SEC), once the preseason favorite to reach the 12-team College Football Playoff, will now most likely sit on the outside after their third loss in Week 13 look inside.

Kalen DeBoer and the Tide appeared to be on a direct path to Atlanta and the SEC Championship. But Brent Venables and his Oklahoma Sooners, desperate for a clean sweep, scuppered those plans with a commanding 24-3 victory over Alabama.

Saturday night’s loss was another example of Alabama’s inconsistencies this season, perhaps to be expected in this transition period following Nick Saban’s retirement. However, the nature of the losses, particularly this one against Oklahoma, was shocking – especially given the timing and stakes.

With so much at stake, there is no doubt there will be blame. Let’s take a look at who bears the most responsibility for Alabama’s loss to Oklahoma in Week 13.

Jalen Milroe throws three interceptions

Jalen Milroe entered the 2024 season with Heisman Trophy aspirations, and for good reason. His blend of size, speed and improved accuracy made him one of the most dynamic players in college football. While his brilliance shone in key games against teams like LSU and Georgia, Milroe’s struggles were glaring in critical SEC road games, the most recent example being Alabama’s loss to Oklahoma.

Statistically, Milroe’s numbers were respectable in some games, despite notable mistakes, such as a pick-six against Vanderbilt. However, against Tennessee earlier this season, his performance dipped to a 55.6% completion rate, with 239 passing yards, one touchdown, two interceptions and just 11 rushing yards. As bad as that performance was, it paled in comparison to his struggles Saturday night against Oklahoma.

Milroe completed just 11 of 26 passes – a dismal 42.3% – for 164 yards, no touchdowns and three costly interceptions, one of which was returned for a pick-six in the third quarter. His performance on the ground was also disappointing, with just seven total rushing yards.

Very little went right for Alabama in their final game, but Milroe’s worst performance in his career was undoubtedly the catalyst for the team’s problems.

Kalen DeBoer suffers his third road loss

New Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer came to Tuscaloosa with an impressive track record, full of big wins and a reputation for success. But as DeBoer is quickly learning, navigating the SEC is no easy task — especially during one of the conference’s most significant periods of realignment.

This season, Alabama has oscillated between looking unstoppable and looking undisciplined, unprepared and downright frustrating. Their Week 13 matchup against Oklahoma, in which the Crimson Tide posted their lowest point total of the season, was a glaring example of the latter.

With its third loss of the season, Alabama is now experiencing something it hasn’t experienced since 2010: three losses in the regular season. While the program is undoubtedly in a significant period of transition under DeBoer, that doesn’t exempt him from criticism. As ESPN’s Paul Finebaum noted, it’s time to place some of the blame on the head coach.

That doesn’t mean DeBoer won’t right the ship. His pedigree suggests he has the ability to get Alabama back into championship shape. However, those dreams of competing in the College Football Playoff this year will likely be dashed and left on the field in Norman, Oklahoma.

Kane Wommack has struggled on defense for Alabama this season

Like DeBoer, Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack is having a tumultuous first season in Tuscaloosa. Under Nick Saban, Alabama fans became accustomed to dominant defenses that rarely gave up big plays or suffered humiliating losses. However, this season was far from standard.

Memories of near-collapses remain, like Georgia’s 27-point second-half rally that nearly defeated Alabama or Vanderbilt’s shocking 40-point outburst. But allowing an offensively limited Oklahoma team to score like they did in Week 13 might be the hardest pill to swallow.

The Sooners posted their highest score against a Power Four opponent in Alabama. The second worst loss came last week against Missouri 30:23. While one touchdown came from a Milroe interception, the Sooners’ offensive success was largely due to their rushing attack, which racked up 260 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Oklahoma managed just 68 passing yards, further highlighting Alabama’s difficulty containing the run. Alabama’s defense ranks 67th nationally and allows 152 rushing yards per game.

Despite the inconsistencies, Wommack’s defense still ranks 11th nationally in points allowed (18.6) and fourth in takeaways. Still, the flaws this year have been glaring, and much like the rest of the Alabama team, improvements will likely come in the offseason. For now, it’s a baptism of fire for Wommack in his first year leading the Tide defense.