Paul Finebaum sounds alarm for Alabama after Oklahoma loss: ‘They hurt themselves badly’

Paul Finebaum didn’t mince words on Wednesday’s edition of Get Up as he broke down the ramifications of Alabama’s Week 12 loss to Oklahoma. He believes it was a defeat that may ultimately cost the Crimson Tide both an SEC Championship Game berth and a College Football Playoff spot. 

Finebaum stressed that the setback wasn’t just damaging in the standings, but also in perception. Especially since the loss came against a ranked Sooners team that walked into Tuscaloosa and escaped with a 23-21 win.

“As far as Alabama is concerned, they hurt themselves badly, because they played a quality team and lost by two points,” Finebaum said. “Now, they have to do one thing — they need to go to Auburn a week from Saturday and win.”

He reminded viewers why that task is far more daunting than Auburn’s record suggests: “If you know college football, you know how difficult it is for Alabama to win down there, especially under the lights,” Finebaum added.

“The last two times Alabama, under Nick Saban, has gone to Auburn against inferior teams, it took four overtimes for Alabama to win that one four years ago. The last time it only took a 4th & 31 play by Jalen Milroe to get Alabama to the SEC Championship Game.”

Alas, Alabama’s loss to Oklahoma — their second straight defeat to the Sooners in late-season SEC play — snapped an eight-game winning streak dating back to Week 1. The Crimson Tide fell behind 10-0 early, battled back to take a 21-20 lead on Daniel Hill’s second touchdown of the night, but were ultimately undone by Oklahoma kicker Tate Sandell’s 24-yard field goal and their own stagnant fourth-quarter offense.

The Crimson Tide had only two drives in the final frame. It amounted to a three-and-out and a 13-play march that stalled on 4th & 6 near midfield. Oklahoma’s ball control and Alabama’s inability to finish proved decisive in the end.

Meanwhile, Georgia’s dominant 35-10 win over Texas vaulted the Bulldogs to a 7-1 SEC finish, placing immense pressure on Alabama. At 6-1 in conference play, the Crimson Tide now face a win-or-else scenario in the Iron Bowl.

A loss to Auburn — despite the Tigers’ struggles and midseason coaching change — would all but eliminate Alabama from both the SEC Championship Game and the College Football Playoff.

With everything on the line, Finebaum’s message to Alabama was clear. The margin for error is gone, and the most treacherous trip on their schedule now stands between them and survival. Time will tell if the Crimson Tide can get it done.

— On3’s Daniel Hager contributed to this article.