Well, that happened.

It felt this week like an Oklahoma team with nothing but pride to play for was coming to play after a bye on Senior Night. That turned out to be an understatement as they dominated Alabama in every way except on the scoreboard in the first half. Alabama couldn’t stop the run at all, but a fumble, a missed TD pass and a missed Oklahoma field goal kept the Tide in the game. On the other hand, Oklahoma clearly came into this game determined not to let Jalen Milroe run the football.

There were yards to be gained through the air and Alabama managed to score a few times, but the passing game was generally not good. When receivers weren’t dropping passes, Milroe missed throws. A wide open Germie Bernard appeared to lose one in the lights and after a beautiful catch along the sideline, Ryan Williams simply stepped on the chalk to convert a touchdown into a field goal.

Oklahoma finally found payoff on their final possession of the half, aided by a clear but uncalled grab from CB Domani Jackson on an explosive run around QB Jackson Arnold’s left side. Oklahoma RB Xavier Robinson punched the ball in to cap his 8 carry, 88 yard first half and the Sooners took a 10-3 lead into the half, and it was a wonder it was so close. Deontae Lawson went down in the second quarter with what is believed to be a serious injury, and that certainly didn’t help.

The miracle did not last long. Kobe Prentice smelled a block on a screen that turned into a terrible interception, and Oklahoma promptly knocked it back in to lead 17-3. Unfortunately, one play wasn’t enough for Jalen as he hit a six on the next possession and trailed 24-3. For all intents and purposes, the game was over. Ryan Williams tried to get them back in the game with one of his trademark acrobatic grabs in the end zone, but even that was taken away with a call so bad and late that it’s hard not to suspect corruption.

Still, there’s no denying how incompetent the entire team looked tonight. It’s only the first year of the Kalen DeBoer era, but Alabama’s play in SEC road games has been terrible, save for one against an LSU team that has proven itself incapable of stopping a running QB. When both sides of the football get hit like this team did, and even the punter is off his game, it’s an indictment on the staff.

DeBoer is about to find out what he signed up for in following Saban, and all the criticism will be justified. It’s one thing to lose games, it’s another not to show up. That’s something Alabama fans haven’t had to deal with in a long time and won’t be well received. Auburn goes to Tuscaloosa feeling better about itself after playing much better this week, and their entire existence is based on beating Alabama. Alabama is beat up and feeling sorry for himself. If you lose that, I don’t even want to think about the reaction of the fanbase.

Vent all you want, but don’t be an idiot. There’s more football to watch tonight if you’re into it, schedule courtesy of CFBGrid.com.

Roll tide.