The College Football Playoff is just one day away.
No. 4 Oklahoma (12-1) has had an up-and-down year with thrilling comebacks and allowing blowouts to become close games.
They face off against a No. 1 LSU (13-0) team that has been impressive from the word ‘go’. The Sooners will need to be on their A-game or better.
Oklahoma is a 13.5-point underdog, which is the largest spread they have faced since playing Alabama in the 2018 College Football Playoff.
The Sooners and LSU will kickoff the College Football Playoff at the Chick-fil-A Peach at 3 p.m. CT inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Sooners Wire got together to discuss the path Oklahoma took to get here and everything about the Peach Bowl.
Be honest—after Kansas State, did you think Oklahoma would make the College Football Playoff?
Brayden Conover: No. I thought there was too many teams and too much that needed to happen for Oklahoma to make it.
Derek Parker: Oklahoma always had a chance to make it, even after the KSU loss. If they made it with the 2017 Iowa State loss, anything is possible.
Kegan Reneau: Not only no, but hell no. They felt dead after that game, but Sooner Magic prevailed again.
Is the 13.5-point spread for LSU too high for the Peach Bowl?
BC: Yes. Even if it’s a shootout of a game the Sooners can hang within 13.5 points. You got to love free money.
DP: Absolutely. The last time Oklahoma lost by more than 13.5 points, I was a freshman in college. I graduate this year. It’s never happened in Lincoln’s reign.
KR: I think we are all in agreement here. LSU is not two touchdowns better than Oklahoma.
Is this Oklahoma’s best chance of winning a College Football Playoff semifinal?
BC: Yes a million times over. The Sooners are best equipped to face the the Tigers over anyone they have faced in the past. With that being said, if you take this defense and put it on the 2017 team against Georgia, I think Oklahoma would be trying for their second national title game.
DP: This is certainly the most one-sided team we’ve ever seen the Sooners play in the Playoffs. Clemson, Georgia, and Alabama all had balanced units. LSU relies heavily on their offense, and Oklahoma should have a good chance to exploit that.
KR: No, and I left this open-ended for a reason. Oklahoma is going to be better in 2020, 2021 and so on. That’s when the conversation will be about someone else being a huge underdog.
Who is the most important player in this game?
BC: Kennedy Brooks. Lincoln needs a guy that can tote the rock to compliment Jalen Hurts’ carries. If Brooks can find holes and gash the Tiger defense then the passing game opens up and the Sooners can hang with LSU.
DP: Jalen Redmond. All eyes are on the Sooners secondary to stop Joe Burrow, but consistent pressure from Redmond will make it much, much easier on the defensive backs. Burrow has rarely felt uncomfortable all year, and he’ll need to feel that way Saturday if Oklahoma wants a chance.
KR: Jalen Hurts. He holds the keys to the entire College Football Playoff. If Hurts can hold onto the football, make big throws on third down and put Oklahoma on his back, the Sooners can win this whole thing.
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