Why Oklahoma knew Alabama’s Ty Simpson would fumble if sacked
All season, Alabama football quarterback Ty Simpson has had trouble with ball control while being sacked. Throughout the past several games, including Saturday’s loss to Oklahoma, Simpson has fumbled on a sack.
The Crimson Tide’s opponents began taking notice. Defensive coordinators around the country have long studied tendencies like these, and Oklahoma’s staff came prepared. They knew that when pressure came from the edges, Simpson often failed to secure the football. The Sooners capitalized on that weakness with disciplined pass rush schemes and targeted blitzes designed specifically to exploit it.
Alabama’s offensive line, despite its talent, struggled to adjust. In key moments, defenders broke through cleanly, forcing Simpson into awkward positions and ultimately contributing to multiple turnovers. Against Oklahoma, the strategy was simple but effective: overload one side of the line, collapse the pocket, and let Simpson’s known ball-handling struggles do the rest. Oklahoma’s defensive backs also played with a heightened sense of anticipation, ready to pounce on any loose balls or deflections.
Simpson’s fumbling issues are not entirely new. Scouts and analysts have pointed out the quarterback’s tendency to lose the football under duress, particularly when his throwing motion is disrupted or when he faces unbalanced pressure. While his mobility and arm strength make him a dynamic playmaker, ball security has been the Achilles’ heel of his season. Alabama coaches have worked tirelessly in practice to correct the issue, emphasizing grip, tuck, and awareness, but real-game situations remain far more complex than controlled drills.
This vulnerability is magnified in high-stakes games against elite defenses. Oklahoma’s defensive front, known for speed and precision, was able to consistently create those high-pressure moments. The result: a pattern of sacks followed by fumbles that ultimately shifted the momentum of the game. Each turnover not only cost Alabama points but also emboldened the Oklahoma defense to continue targeting Simpson in precisely the ways they had prepared for all week.
Ty Simpson’s struggles under pressure also highlight a broader challenge for Alabama. Quarterbacks, no matter how talented, rely heavily on protection and scheme adjustments to thrive. When opponents can anticipate mistakes and exploit tendencies, even a top-tier team like Alabama can falter. For Simpson, the learning curve is steep; he must combine his natural athletic gifts with sharper decision-making and improved ball security to prevent future breakdowns against teams willing to game-plan for his weaknesses.
Moving forward, Alabama’s coaching staff faces critical decisions. Do they adjust the offensive scheme to minimize Simpson’s exposure to heavy pressure, or do they trust that experience and coaching will allow him to overcome these vulnerabilities? Meanwhile, defensive coordinators across the nation have undoubtedly taken notes: when the pocket collapses around Ty Simpson, the football may be free for the taking.
In the end, Saturday’s game served as a stark reminder that even elite programs like Alabama are not immune to the consequences of predictable mistakes. Oklahoma’s preparation and awareness turned a known weakness into a decisive advantage, and for Ty Simpson, the message is clear: ball security under pressure must improve—or opponents will continue to exploit it with ruthless efficiency.
4 takeaways as Celtics fend off Clippers in important clutch game win
BOSTON — The Celtics went up big, and while they had to fend off the Clippers, they came away with the 121-118 victory Sunday at TD Garden. The C’s won their second straight game to get to 7-7 on the season while the Clippers dropped to 4-9.
It was all Celtics to start the game. While the Clippers were briefly hot from 3, they couldn’t keep up the level of shot-making. The Los Angeles starters also struggled early as the Celtics got out in transition, putting up 15 fast-break points in the first half.
But the Clippers locked in after the Celtics had a 24-point lead early in the second half, going on a 30-11 run to close the third quarter. James Harden scored 18 points in the fourth quarter as the Clippers refused to go down easily, cutting the deficit all the way down to a point. In the end, Harden missed a clean look at a 3-pointer to tie the game on a nifty play call with 1.6 seconds left and with no timeouts.
Payton Pritchard was on fire with 30 points while Derrick White had 22 points, seven rebounds and nine assists. Jaylen Brown also added 33 points and 12 rebounds. Harden led the Clippers with 37 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Ivica Zubac had 16 points and 12 rebounds.
The Celtics play the Nets at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Brooklyn for their next game. Here are four takeaways from Boston’s win over Los Angeles:
Getting a clutch win:
Climbing out of slumps: Both Pritchard and White have proven they’re legit shooters in the league, but they got off to brutal starts. It appears they’ve slowly climbed out of the funk. Pritchard finished 8-for-13 on 3-pointers while White was 4-for-8 from deep Sunday. Considering the Celtics haven’t been able to rely on two of their best shooters on the roster early, it’s a positive development. Pritchard came into Sunday’s game making 28.1% of his 3s on the season while White was at 29.2%.
Another start: Jordan Walsh got his second straight start as his spirited recent play has gotten rewarded. It was another solid showing for the third-year pro as he got the Harden assignment defensively. Walsh finished with six points, eight rebounds and three assists in 33 minutes as it’s clear his defense continues to be an asset on varying opponents. While it’s not guaranteed Walsh will continue to be the starter, his emergence as a contributor is a plus. Along with Josh Minott and Hugo Gonzalez, the Celtics have three young wings who have had their bright spots early this season.
Opportunity awaits: While the Celtics had a busy schedule to open the season, they’re in a stretch where they play only six games in 16 days. They also face the Nets over their next two games, Tuesday in Brooklyn then Friday in Boston as part of NBA Cup play. The C’s have a real chance to put together their first significant win streak of the season against one of the worst teams in the league. As Boston has hovered around the .500 mark to open the year, it’s crucial to pick up those types of victories over the course of a long season
