ESPN rules analyst sides with SEC officials over non-call pass interference in favor of Oklahoma vs Alabama

Alabama finds its offense sputtering through two drives against Oklahoma. Not what we are used to seeing from the unit led by quarterback Ty Simpson. But many inside Bryant-Denny Stadium felt as if the second drive should have been extended with the help of officials.

Ryan Williams went deep on a 3rd and 18, hoping to pick up a first down. He got interlocked with Courtland Guillory and eventually watched the ball hit the ground. As Alabama’s punt team came onto the field, the ESPN broadcast wondered if pass interference should have been called.

Rules analyst Matt Austin was okay with the no-call, as was color analyst Greg McElroy. Potentially a big early play, especially since OU now gets the ball back with a chance to go up double digits. You can check out the full play for yourself here.

You make the call:

Alabama WR Ryan Williams vs Oklahoma DB Courtland Guillory

OPI, DPI, or no call?pic.twitter.com/GGpiWlAA3A

— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) November 15, 2025

Not a game-changing call by any stretch of the imagination. Especially just a few minutes into the first quarter. Simpson and Williams will have plenty of time down the stretch to look for explosive plays. They likely just wanted their first one to go better than the end result. Whether that’s a catch from Williams or the yellow laundry ending up on the grass.

Looking at what’s at stake from Bryant-Denny Stadium between Alabama, Oklahoma

This one for Alabama and Oklahoma is important for each team for multiple different reasons. SEC Championship and College Football Playoff implications are at stake, while Alabama might have a little bit of revenge on its mind.

Last season’s loss in Norman effectively ended any chance of Alabama being included in the 12-team field last year. Plenty in Tuscaloosa might remember another controversial officiating moment involving Williams and Jalen Milroe during the game, an illegal touching that took a touchdown off the board.

Now, the Crimson Tide hopes to pull off something similar for Oklahoma. Sitting at 6-2 at the moment, defeat brings them a third loss on the season. Making the CFP with three tallies in the loss column would be quite difficult.

Oklahoma, on the other hand, is looking to stay alive. Head coach Brent Venables certainly could use another feather in his cap moving forward. Popping up in hot seat discussions every once in a while, winning in Tuscaloosa would end those conversations for a long time. Especially if OU can finish the season out with an appearance in the College Football Playoff.