Composure Over Chaos: Oklahoma vs. Alabama and the First Round of the CFP

College Football Playoff games aren’t decided by playbooks or surprises.They’re decided by composure. In this episode of the Sooner Nation Podcast, we break down why Oklahoma’s College Football Playoff rematch with Alabama will be won — or lost — in the moments between snaps, not on the chalkboard. From the psychological residue of November’s win in Tuscaloosa to the weight of expectation Alabama carries into Norman, this episode focuses on pressure, belief, and how teams respond when the margin disappears. We dive deep into: Why postseason rematches hinge on restraint, not reinvention The mental edge Oklahoma carries after already proving it can win Three Sooners Alabama still hasn’t solved — and why they matter again How momentum, posture, and response define playoff football The episode closes with full first-round College Football Playoff predictions, including: Miami vs. Texas A&M Tulane vs. Ole Miss James Madison vs. Oregon And, finally, Oklahoma vs. Alabama under the lights in Norman The bracket is set.The pressure is real.Now it’s time to let them play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices