The College Football Playoff is officially underway, and the energy in Norman, Oklahoma, is reaching a fever pitch as the No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners get set to host the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide in what promises to be a thrilling opening matchup. It’s Friday, December 19, 2025, and for the very first time, the playoff spotlight shines directly on Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, with tens of thousands of fans and a national TV audience eagerly awaiting kickoff at 8 p.m. Eastern (7 p.m. Central).
It’s a historic day for the city of Norman and for both programs. The Sooners, riding high after a 10-2 season and a dramatic 23-21 victory over Alabama just over a month ago, now find themselves with home-field advantage in their first-ever College Football Playoff game hosted on campus. The Crimson Tide, no strangers to postseason drama, arrive with a 10-3 record and plenty to prove after that narrow loss in November. Quarterback Ty Simpson, touted as a potential first-round NFL draft pick, leads Alabama’s charge, hoping to flip the script and keep his team’s championship hopes alive.
Fans have been camped out around the stadium since the early hours, braving chilly December weather and forming lines that wrapped around campus. As one enthusiastic supporter told KOCO 5 News, "The commitment of Sooner Nation is unmatched. Everybody, fans waiting outside for over a day to be at ESPN College GameDay in Norman ahead of tonight’s big game, and it’s shaping up to be a busy day across Norman." The excitement is palpable, with tailgates popping up on every corner, campus streets closed to accommodate the crowds, and the city ready to welcome visitors from across the country.
This contest isn’t just about advancing in the playoff bracket—it’s about pride, redemption, and the chance to etch a new chapter in college football history. The winner will punch a ticket to face No. 1 Indiana in the storied Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day, raising the stakes even higher for both teams. For Oklahoma, the November win over Alabama vaulted the Sooners back inside the top ten and ultimately secured their first CFP berth since 2019, a feat that’s energized the fan base and the program alike. For Alabama, the opportunity to avenge that loss and keep their national title dreams alive is motivation enough.
The magnitude of the matchup has drawn national attention, with ABC broadcasting the game to millions. Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will handle play-by-play and analysis, while Holly Rowe and Laura Rutledge provide updates from the sidelines. Local coverage is equally robust, with KOCO 5 hosting a special pregame show and providing live reports throughout the day. If you can’t make it to Norman, there’s no shortage of ways to tune in—KOCO 5, ESPN, and streaming options like fuboTV have you covered, and radio broadcasts are available on 107.7 The Franchise and The Varsity Network.
Game day in Norman is a logistical feat in itself. City officials have closed major streets near the stadium, including Lindsay Street, Jenkins Avenue, and Boyd Street, starting at 1 p.m. Central to manage the influx of fans. Police and Oklahoma Highway Patrol are out in force, ensuring safety and even employing drone detection measures to keep the skies clear. Fans are encouraged to arrive early, be in their seats 45 minutes before kickoff, and have a plan for parking and navigating the busy campus. For those without tickets, downtown Norman and Campus Corner are hosting massive watch parties, promising an electric atmosphere whether you’re inside the stadium or cheering from a local bar.
Adding to the festivities, legendary Oklahoma linebacker Brian Bosworth—"The Boz"—returns as the guest picker on ESPN’s College GameDay. His presence has sparked nostalgia and excitement among longtime Sooners fans. As one student put it, "I think it’s a great pick. I think he’s going to do well. If we would have known, we would have got shirts made that said, ‘I love the Boz.’" Even those less familiar with his legacy are swept up in the buzz, with one fan admitting, "I got to be honest, I’m not sure who that is, but I’m excited for the game this weekend. It’s going to be a big one."
On the field, all eyes are on the key matchup between Alabama’s offense and Oklahoma’s formidable defense. The X-factor could very well be Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams, whose season has been marked by flashes of brilliance and bouts of inconsistency. The Crimson Tide will need him at his best to break through the Sooners’ secondary and keep pace with Oklahoma’s explosive attack. For Oklahoma, maintaining the defensive intensity that carried them to victory in the previous meeting will be crucial. Their November win was hard-fought, and replicating that performance under playoff pressure is no small task.
Betting lines as of Thursday, December 18, have Oklahoma as a slight favorite—just a one-point spread, with the Sooners at -115 on the moneyline and Alabama at -105. The over/under is set at 40.5 points, reflecting the expectation of a tightly contested, possibly low-scoring affair. But as any college football fan knows, the playoffs have a way of defying expectations, and with so much talent on both sidelines, anything can happen.
The broader playoff picture only adds to the intrigue. This year’s expanded CFP bracket features four first-round games played on campus sites, a format that has injected new life and energy into the postseason. The winner of Alabama-Oklahoma advances to the quarterfinals, where Indiana, the undefeated No. 1 seed, awaits in Pasadena. Elsewhere, Miami faces Texas A&M, Tulane takes on Ole Miss, and James Madison travels to Oregon—all vying for a shot at college football’s ultimate prize. Quarterfinals are set for December 31 and January 1, with semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl on January 8 and 9, and the national championship game scheduled for January 19 in Miami.
As kickoff approaches, the anticipation in Norman is off the charts. The stadium is decked out, the fans are loud, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Whether you’re a diehard supporter or just tuning in for the spectacle, tonight’s clash between Oklahoma and Alabama is what college football is all about—tradition, rivalry, and the pursuit of greatness. With so much on the line and the action just moments away, all that’s left is to see who will rise to the occasion and keep their championship dreams alive.
Stay tuned as the College Football Playoff gets underway in Norman, where history is being made and every play could shape the road to a national title.
