The #3 Oklahoma Sooners will settle their differences with the #2 Georgia Bulldogs in the College Football Playoffs at the Rose Bowl. The game will get underway on Monday, January 1st at 5 p.m. EST and can be seen on ESPN for your entertainment. As of now, the Bulldogs are a slight -2.5 point favorite and the contest’s total now sits at 60.
The Oklahoma Sooners storm into Pasadena sporting a 12-1 record. Most recently, the Sooners took care of business in the Big-12 Championship when they beat the TCU Horned Frogs, 41-17. Now, they look to topple the Georgia Bulldogs and advance to the College Football Championship. New Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley has the Sooners in great position after winning eight straight games.
The Georgia Bulldogs also made their way into the 2017 Rose Bowl with a 12-1 record. In their last outing, the Bulldogs got their revenge when they were victorious over the Auburn Tigers, 28-7. As a result, Georgia was crowned the SEC champions and received the second seed in the College Football Playoffs. The Bulldogs feature one of the nation’s top defenses. They will attempt to stymie Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield and the country’s top offense.
(2) Oklahoma Sooners (12-1)
Head coach Lincoln Riley was just 33 years old when he took over for Bob Stoops. Now, he is a year older and has taken the Sooners to the College Football playoff in his first year at the helm. Besides a loss at home to an improved Cyclones team, the Sooners have run the table. They also have outscored their opponents 553-287.
Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield has been the best quarterback in college football. The outstanding performer orchestrates an offense that produces almost 600 yards a game. In all, Mayfield has completed 71 percent of his passes for 4,340 yards. He also has tossed the ball for 41 touchdowns and five interceptions. Overall, the gunslinger has averaged 367 passing yards a contest which is good for second in the country.
When Oklahoma looks to move the chains with their ground attack, they call on three different tailbacks to get the job done. Together, the threesome has amassed well over 2,200 yards and 17 trips to the promised land. Rodney Anderson leads the group with 960 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. Abdul Adams has impressed with his 9.2 yards a carry average and Trey Sermon is solid with 710 more yards and five scores.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield spreads the ball around better than any thrower in the nation. Six wide receivers all have caught a plethora of passes and all have found their way into the end zone on plenty of occasions. Mark Andrews has a team-high 58 catches for 906 yards and eight touchdowns. On the other side, Marquise Brown leads the Sooners with 981 yards and has six scores to his credit.
Its been all about the offense in Norman because the defense has continually let the Oklahoma fans down. They have shown a bit of improvement over the last three weeks but still aren’t anything to write home to mom about. Overall, the unit allows schools to score 25 points a game (50th). The secondary has been torched in 2017, surrendering 241 yards through the air (88th).
(2) Georgia Bulldogs (12-1)
Two Georgia running backs have done the majority of the damage for head coach Kirby Smart. Nick Chubb has been sensational, rushing for almost 1,100 yards and 13 trips to the back of the end zone. Not to be outdone, teammate Sony Michel has also recorded just under 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns of his own. This is the nation’s best one-two punch at the running back position.
Passing the football isn’t something that the Georgia Bulldogs do well. Still, they try to mix things up to prevent defenses from stacking the box. Quarterback Jake Fromm has been asked to manage the offense and not make any crucial mistakes that could cost them the game. So far, Fromm has done just that by passing for just under 2,173 yards with 21 touchdowns and only five picks. He should find some success against the Sooners porous pass defense.
Wide receivers Javon Wims and Terry Godwin are Fromm’s targets when he is asked to move the chains through the air. Together, the two wideouts have reeled in 62 catches for 1,132 yards and 11 scores. Wims lead the Bulldogs with 38 catches for 681 yards and six touchdowns.
On defense, the Bulldogs have been even better than expected in 2017. They boast a strong front seven and have speed at every position. Amazingly, Georgia ranks in the top five in three of college football’s four major categories. Currently, they sit 4th in the country, surrendering only 13 points a game to their opponents. The secondary is ranked 2nd in the FBS (159 ypg) and overall they yield to only 270 total yards a contest (4th). The battle between this unit and the Sooners offense will decide who will advance to the College Football Championship.
Prediction
Las Vegas first posted the Oklahoma Sooners as a one-point favorite. Since that time, the betting public has pushed the line in favor of the Georgia Bulldogs. I’m assuming that is because of their outstanding defense. Also, the Bulldogs offense might find it a little easier to score points on Oklahoma than they did in the SEC. Nevertheless, this one should be close and I expect it to come down to the wire.
I believe that Baker Mayfield and company can score on anybody in the country. Ohio State has an amazing defense and the Sooners offense certainly did their job on the road in the Horse Shoe against them. Yes, this might be the fastest defense they have faced all year but I still see Oklahoma scoring in the high 20’s or low 30’s. With that being said, I also think that the power running game of the Bulldogs will generate points as well. Either way, I think the total 60 is too risky.
Instead, take the team that has the best chance to move the ball in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. In my opinion, that is Oklahoma. Take the Sooners and the plus money to win the 2017 Rose Bowl outright and advanced to the College Football Championship.
To make a play on this playoff game, go to BetDSI Sportsbook and get it done.
Trends
The Bulldogs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 bowl games.
The Under is 7-3 in the Bulldogs last 10 bowl games.
The Sooners are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
The Under is 5-1 in the Sooners last 6 bowl games.
