Former Alabama defensive back Roman Harper didn’t hold back in his criticism of his alma mater following the Crimson Tide’s disappointing 24-3 loss to Oklahoma. The game, which took place in Norman, Oklahoma, left Alabama with more questions than answers, particularly about their defensive performance. Harper was blunt in his assessment of the Tide’s effort, saying, “We got our butts kicked.”
The loss was a stinging blow to a team that has long prided itself on its dominant defense. For years, Alabama has been synonymous with tough, physical play on that side of the ball, but the performance against Oklahoma was anything but dominant. The Sooners racked up an eye-popping 260 yards rushing in the game, a stat that certainly did not sit well with Harper, who was part of some of the most stifling defenses in Alabama’s history.
Harper’s frustration is rooted in the fundamentals of Alabama’s defense. The Crimson Tide’s inability to stop Oklahoma’s ground game was glaring, as the Sooners controlled the tempo of the game, consistently gashing Alabama’s defensive line and linebackers. Even without a high-flying passing attack, Oklahoma’s rushing attack kept Alabama’s defense on the field for extended periods, leading to fatigue and a lack of adjustments as the game wore on.
For Harper, the defensive effort against Oklahoma was a far cry from the elite standard he helped build at Alabama. “It’s embarrassing,” Harper remarked, clearly exasperated by the lack of physicality and execution. Alabama’s defensive front, once considered a hallmark of the program, was pushed around by an Oklahoma offensive line that seemed to have no trouble opening holes for their running backs.
Harper’s comments also extended to the leadership on the defense. In his view, the lack of leadership from the defensive captains and upperclassmen was a significant factor in the team’s inability to respond to Oklahoma’s physical style of play. “You need your leaders to step up, and I didn’t see that on Saturday,” Harper said. His frustration is indicative of a larger concern—Alabama’s defense seemed ill-prepared and unmotivated to match Oklahoma’s intensity, something that has not been a typical issue for the Crimson Tide under Nick Saban’s tenure.
The criticism is particularly pointed because of the high expectations that come with being part of the Alabama program. After all, Alabama’s defense is a key reason why the team has consistently contended for national championships. The Tide’s defensive struggles in Norman are especially troubling considering the reputation of head coach Nick Saban as one of the best defensive minds in college football. Saban has built a dynasty based on defensive excellence, and the poor showing against Oklahoma raises questions about the current state of the program.
Ultimately, the loss to Oklahoma is a wake-up call for Alabama’s defense, a unit that will need to regroup and reassess its approach in the coming weeks. As Roman Harper succinctly put it, the Crimson Tide were outplayed and out-physicalled in every phase of the game. If they hope to return to championship contention, they will need to address these issues and restore the defensive identity that has made Alabama a powerhouse for so many years.
