Three biggest storylines for Oklahoma, LSU ahead of the Peach Bowl

The Peach Bowl is just one day away. Here are the three biggest storylines for the Peach Bowl between Oklahoma and LSU.

This year, No. 1 LSU did what Oklahoma has done for several seasons now. They nearly cleaned house, taking home multiple awards and snagged the top offensive spot away in the final game of the season.

Fourth-ranked Oklahoma has been completely counted out of the game, especially down multiple players heading into it. But the Sooners still plan on playing the game, regardless of what the country might be saying. The top two offenses, the Heisman winner and runner up, and two up-and-coming coaches are all about to meet up on Saturday.

Here are the three biggest storylines for the Peach Bowl between Oklahoma and LSU.

Script, Flipped

For the past two seasons, Oklahoma has entered the College Football Playoffs with two big time advantages. Heisman winners. Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray were incredibly reliable, and provided a spark few players that play the game have. This year, Oklahoma will be getting a piece of their own medicine however, as LSU’s Joe Burrow put together a Heisman-winning campaign that matched the Sooners duo. Burrow has rarely put himself in bad situations this year, and the Oklahoma defense certainly has a tall task ahead of them.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, questionable

The Tiger’s leading rusher Clyde Edwards-Helaire, has accounted for 1,291 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns so far this year, but he is questionable to play Saturday. LSU has insisted that their offense won’t look different without him, but the bottom line is that no other running back on the team has been close to his production. In fact, their second leading rusher is Burrow with 289 yards.

One Last Chance

One of Jalen Hurts or Joe Burrow will play their final collegiate game on Saturday. Both have had storied and similar career, transferring into new roles that led them to where they are today. Hurts has amassed 4,889 yards and 51 touchdowns as a Sooner after his transfer out of Alabama, and Burrow has thrown for 4,715 yards on 77.9% completion in his senior year as a Tiger. The only thing remaining for both of them is chance at an extra game, by ending the other’s season.

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How Oklahoma wins, loses the Peach Bowl against LSU

Remember when everyone thought Oklahoma was done? Neither do I. The Sooners find themselves in their third straight College Football Playoff

Remember when everyone thought Oklahoma was done? Neither do I. The Sooners find themselves in their third-straight College Football Playoff and their fourth appearance in program history. Despite playing the No. 1 seed in LSU, it is actually the best chance on paper out of the four semifinal games they have played.

HOW OKLAHOMA WINS

Keep possession of the ball

It’s pretty simple. So long as Jalen Hurts settles down and holds on to the ball and does not force throws (see Iowa State) Oklahoma should be in good shape.

RUN RUN RUN

With Rhamondre Stevenson suspended, the Sooners are down to Jalen Hurts and Kennedy Brooks as the main ball carriers. TJ Pledger will likely tote the rock to take some of the load off of Brooks and Hurts. The trio will need to be around the magic number of 200 yards rushing for Oklahoma to move on to New Orleans.

BURY BURROW

Getting pressure on Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow will not be an easy task with leading pass rusher Ronnie Perkins suspended. However, it is not impossible. Jalen Redmond and LaRon Stokes will be the two who will be tasked with containing and forcing pressure on Burrow. LSU did win the Joe Moore Award but they were No. 72 in the nation in sacks allowed. Pressure will be key in stopping the No. 1 offense in the country and can very well be what leads Oklahoma to a victory.

HOW OKLAHOMA LOSES

penalties

With all of the trash-talking LSU has been saying throughout the week, the Sooners have obeyed coach’s orders and have kept their mouths shut. In fact, Oklahoma has been complimentary of the Tigers. However, when the lights are on and emotions are high, coach won’t always be there to babysit. The Sooners need to keep their heads on and not allow LSU to bait them into personal fouls or undisciplined play.

SLOW START

Between turnovers and penalties, the Sooners have a lot on their plate and in their way. They have to start fast and match, if not surpass the energy levels of LSU. Last year, Alabama jumped on Oklahoma 28-0 halfway through the second quarter, putting the Sooners behind the eight ball. #SpeedD will be put to the test against Burrow and Co. but nonetheless, Oklahoma must battle from the opening kick to the final whistle.

Oklahoma and LSU are set to kick off at 3p.m. CT on Saturday, Dec. 28 on ESPN.

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Oklahoma Peach Bowl discussion: 4 questions, 4 answers

Sooners Wire got together to discuss the path Oklahoma took to get here and everything about the Peach Bowl. Read our discussion here.

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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Redskins rule out Terry McLaurin and Landon Collins for Cowboys game

The Redskins will be without two of their best players on Sunday as the Redskins look to get a jump on the offseason.

The Washington Redskins are choosing to play it safe on Sunday and give a couple of their best players some time to recover as the offseason waits just days away.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Redskinw will choose to sit both wide receivers Terry McLaurin and safety Landon Collins against the Dallas Cowboys this upcoming week. McLaurin was diagnosed with a concussion late in last Sunday’s game against the New York Giants, and Collins has been dealing with a shoulder injury for a couple of weeks now.

With the Redskins possessing no incentive to win against the Cowboys, and actually a rather large incentive to lose, it makes sense to rest some of the star players who factor directly into the future of the franchise. Unfortunately for fans, the depleted roster and low stakes will likely lead to a highly unwatchable game against a division rival to close out 2019. Just what we needed to end a tumultuous regular season.

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2019 Cheeze-It Bowl Expert Picks

2019 Cheeze-It Bowl Expert Picks Find out who likes who between Air Force and Washington State Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire Bowl game picks The Cheez-It Bowl features run option attack with Air Force and the wide open passing attack which …

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2019 Cheeze-It Bowl Expert Picks

Find out who likes who between Air Force and Washington State

Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Bowl game picks

The Cheez-It Bowl features run option attack with Air Force and the wide open passing attack which features Washington State. This is one of the

Staff Picks

Cheez-It Bowl: Air Force vs. Washington State (+3)

Jeremy: SU: Air Force | ATS: Air Force | Score: Air Force 30, Washington State 23

Josh F: SU: Air Force | ATS: Air Force | Score: Air Force 28, Washington State 24

Matt K.: SU: Air Force | ATS: Air Force | Score: Air Force 38, Washington State 35

Ted M: SU: Air Force | ATS: Air Force | Score: Air Force 37, Washington State 31

Brandon T: SU/ATS: Washington St

Score: Washington St 42 Air Force 35

Roger Air Force 30 Washington State 28

Erik: SU/ATS: Air Force

Sean: SU: Air Force | ATS: Air Force | Score: Air Force 35, Washington State 28

USA TODAY

This is split down the middle with three going for Air Force and three for Washington State.

Los Angeles Times

Air Force 42-38

The Action Cookbook

The robots patrolled the streets and the skies, in cities devoid of human life. The few that escaped the assault hid in the mountains, too afraid to even light fires to warm them in the frigid desert nights.

CBS Sports

Since the start of the decade, service academy teams are 12-5 against the spread in bowl games. No team enjoys defending the option over four quarters in an exhibition, and I think as long as the Falcons can hold their own against the Cougars’ passing attack they will wear down Washington State and pull away for the win. Pick: Air Force (-2.5)

Four writers go with Washington State and two go with Air Force.

ESPN

The pre-playoff bowl game that captured America’s hearts and minds is back. This time, we get Mike Leach, a resurgent Air Force team and, of course, Cheez-Its. The teams won’t combine for nine interceptions again and should score more than two touchdowns, but there will be drama right down to the end. Anthony Gordon and his receivers challenge Air Force, but everyone knows defense wins Cheez-It Bowl championships, and Air Force has the edge there.

Prediction: Air Force 37, Washington State 31

Athlon Sports

Two picked Washington State and one for Air Force


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9 Sugar Bowl memories as Georgia prepares for Baylor

Georgia and Baylor will play in the 2020 Sugar Bowl. Looking at some of the great games in the past.

Georgia is back in the Sugar Bowl, a game that has seen the Bulldogs play in 10 times. There have been some storied battles in the Sugar Bowl involving the Dawgs and some incredible memories of contests featuring other schools.

A look back before Georgia faces Baylor.

Georgia and Baylor have met on four previous occasions, all in the regular season. The Bulldogs have won all four: 1972 (24-14), 1978 (16-14), 1985 (17-14), and 1989 (15-3).

Georgia in the Sugar Bowl:

Jan. 1, 1947, defeated North Carolina, 20-10
Jan. 1, 1969, lost to Arkansas, 16-2
Jan. 1, 1977, lost to Pittsburgh, 27-3
Jan. 1, 1981, defeated Notre Dame, 17-10
Jan. 1, 1982, lost to Pittsburgh, 24-20
Jan. 1, 1983, lost to Penn State, 27-23
Jan. 1, 2003, defeated Florida State, 26-13
*Jan. 1, 2006, lost to West Virginia 38-35
Jan. 1, 2008, defeated Hawaii, 41-10
Jan. 1, 2019, lost to Texas, 28-21
* played in Atlanta due to Hurricane Katrina

Many recaps are taken from the Sugar Bowl site, which credits the book “Sugar Bowl Classic: A History” by Marty Mulé, who covered the game and the organization for decades for the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

1981: Georgia 17, Notre Dame 10

 Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports

It was an ugly stat: in a game when Georgia needed air-support to keep defenders off tailback Herschel Walker, quarterback Buck Belue was 0-for-11 passing. With 2:05 to play, and the Bulldogs trying to protect a precarious touchdown lead, Belue was looking at a third-and-seven at midfield. He dropped back, looked, finally let loose, and completed his first – and only – pass, seven yards to Amp Arnold. That allowed Georgia to run out the clock, and secure its first consensus national title. Walker finished with 150 yards, 55 in the second half. His individual total may have been the most impressive rushing performance in Sugar Bowl history, considering his separated shoulder and the fact that his total was 30 yards more than his team’s. Take away Walker’s 36 carries and Georgia amassed a minus 30 yards of offense, partly due to four sacks of Belue. No winning team ever had such paltry figures in the Sugar Bowl.

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Titans WR Adam Humphries, CB Adoree Jackson miss Thursday practice

Here’s a complete look at the injury report for both teams.

The Tennessee Titans hit the practice field on Thursday in anticipation of Week 17’s matchup against the Houston Texans.

But the team was without four players.

Wide receivers Adam Humphries (ankle) and Kalif Raymond (concussion), cornerback Adoree Jackson (foot) and linebacker Harold Landry (not injury related) were all absent on Thursday.

Wide receiver Cody Hollister (ankle) practiced in limited capacity.

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Wideout Corey Davis (concussion), linebacker Daren Bates (shoulder), running back Derrick Henry (hamstring) and defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons (knee) were all full participants.

Here’s a complete look at the injury report for both teams.

The Titans and Texans are set to kick off at 3:25 p.m. CST on Sunday in NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

Tim Tebow on the coach who will make the difference in Ohio State vs. Clemson

Which two teams will advance to the College Football Playoff final on Saturday?

Undefeated powerhouses Clemson and Ohio State will meet on Saturday night with a spot in the College Football Playoff final on the line, and while both teams boast explosive offenses that average more than 530 yards per game, Tim Tebow is expecting a defensive coordinator to make the difference in the Fiesta Bowl.

Tebow predicted that the Tigers will edge the Buckeyes in a tight game, and that Ohio State may struggle against a masterful game plan from Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables.

“I’m going to go LSU [in the Peach Bowl]. I think they’re going to be able to last a little bit longer. I think Oklahoma’s going to make plays, I think just Joe Burrow and company, these receivers will be too much at the end.

And then I’m going to go with Clemson in a close one. I think people don’t realize how good Brent Venables is as a defensive coordinator. I think he’s one of the best in the country. He was the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma and we [Florida] faced him in the national championship game. He had an amazing game plan that kind of threw us off and threw me off until the second half. Last year in the national championship, totally threw Tua [Tagovailoa] for a loop. I think he’s going to bring a lot of pressure, I think they’re going to play a lot of zero hole, they’re gonna bring their safeties up, they’re going to do a lot of unique things against Justin Fields and Ohio State. And I think it’s going to give them a very, very close win over a very good Ohio State team.”

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Colts remain 3.5-point favorites over Jaguars in Week 17

Colts remain favorites over the Jaguars.

The Indianapolis Colts opened the week as favorites over the Jacksonville Jaguars for the regular-season finale and they will enter the weekend with that same line for Wek 17.

After snapping their four-game losing streak against the Carolina Panthers, the Colts remain 3.5-point road favorites over the Jacksonville Jaguars for the final week of the season per BetMGM.

This game means nothing in terms of playoff hopes for either team. Instead, they will be looking for what they have in the depth of the roster as the offseason officially approaches.

The Colts and Jaguars first met in Week 11 this season, which ended in a 33-13 win for the former. Marlon Mack and Jonathan Williams led the way with over 100 yards rushing each while the defense played well against Nick Foles.

Now, the Colts will be facing rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew, who has shown some promise under center.

Regardless, the Colts will be wrapping up their season on Sunday as favorites against the Jaguars before the offseason officially gets here.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

Le’Veon Bell hints he might refuse an NFL-mandated HGH test

Will he really follow through with his threat?

New York Jets running back Le’Veon Bell seemed to make it clear back in November: he claimed he did five random HGH blood tests in the span of 10 weeks and declared he wouldn’t take part on a test again.

On Friday, he tweeted a photo of a note he received telling him he had been randomly selected once again to complete an HGH blood test. His response? “@NFL I bet I don’t.”

As many people are pointing out, a refusal to take a drug test is considered failing it and could result in a suspension. So it’s possible he could give in and take the test anyway.

Here’s the tweet:

And his original tweets from November:

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