Here’s a look inside Monday’s Rose Bowl matchup — and College Playoff semifinal — between Oklahoma and Georgia:
When Oklahoma has the ball
Led by Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield, college football’s all-time leader in passer rating, Oklahoma averaged 44.9 points — and a nation-best 583.3 yards per game and 8.4 yards per play. The senior quarterback completed 71 percent of his passes, while throwing 41 touchdowns and just five interceptions.
With perhaps the best offensive line in the country, headlined by left tackle Orlando Brown, Mayfield will have plenty of time in the pocket, though the speed of Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith — arguably the nation’s best defensive player — could limit the quarterback’s ability to improvise. Georgia’s defense ranked third in the nation in points allowed (13.2 per game) and surrender just 270.9 yards per game, but the Sooners still could break the scoreboard if they’re held below their season-averages, and Mayfield doesn’t have to do it alone. Led by sophomore Rodney Anderson, the Sooners’ overshadowed ground game averages 5.6 yards per carry, and could steal the show if the Bulldogs put too much focus on slowing Mayfield, who will be playing despite flu-like symptoms.
Edge: Oklahoma
When Georgia has the ball
The Bulldogs have been defined by their defense, but their overlooked offense has been among the best in the nation, too. Georgia averages nearly 35 points per game, 6.6 yards per play and ranks 10th in the nation in rushing (263.5 yards per game), led by senior backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. Unlike the aerial-heavy attack of their opponent, the Bulldogs run on more than 70 percent of their offensive plays, and could carve up Oklahoma’s defense, which allowed 5.9 yards per carry against the three-best rushing attacks it faced (Ohio State, Kansas State, Oklahoma State).
Quarterback Jake Fromm is seen as the weak link, but the true freshman has thrown just five interceptions this season, ranked fifth in the nation in yards per pass attempt (9.45) and could burn an Oklahoma secondary that ranked 87th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (240.6).
Edge: Georgia
Special teams
Oklahoma’s Austin Seibert and Georgia’s Rodrigo Blankenship are both experienced and reliable kickers. The Bulldogs are superior in almost every part of the game’s third phase. Georgia ranks sixth in the nation in net punting, 15th in kick return average (24.6 yards) and blocked three kicks this season, while boasting strong coverage units.
Oklahoma ranks 128th in the nation in yards allowed, and also ranks 91st in kick return yards allowed. Georgia’s Mecole Hardman hasn’t returned a kick for a score yet, but the speedster might be due.
Edge: Georgia
Coaching
One of the best offensive minds in the country meets one of the nation’s best defensive game-planners. Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley is the youngest head coach in the nation, but the 34-year-old has been with the Sooners for three seasons, and served as offensive coordinator during their playoff appearance two years ago.
Georgia’s Kirby Smart, 42, has even more big-game experience, having won four national championships as Alabama’s defensive coordinator. Both will be on this stage again.
Edge: Even
Three players who could decide the game
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Oklahoma LB
Fromm is a wild-card, and the Sooners’ best pass-rusher could rattle the true freshman quarterback. Okoronkwo, the Big 12 co-defensive player of the year, recorded eight sacks, 17 tackles for loss and three force fumbles this season, and is the best bet for a momentum-swinging play, with his ability to create confusion by lining up in various spots on the field.
Mark Andrews, Oklahoma TE
Mayfield’s favorite target was referred to by Smart as the “hardest matchup in all of college football.” The Mackey Award winner, given to the nation’s best tight end, is a future first-round draft pick, and led Oklahoma with 58 receptions and eight touchdowns this season, while averaging 15.6 yards per catch. Georgia has no one to match up with the 6-foot-5 target, who caught the only touchdown thrown by Mayfield in Oklahoma’s playoff loss two years ago.
Nick Chubb/Sony Michel, Georgia RBs
It is up to the most prolific backfield tandem in SEC history to keep the ball out of the hands of the best player in the country. Chubb and Michel, seniors whose 7,958 combined rushing yards ranks second in FBS history, are the key to controlling the clock and keeping pace with Oklahoma’s powerful offense.
The two soon-to-be pros combine to average 6.6 yards per carry, and need to succeed early to set Fromm up for big play-action pass opportunities.
Prediction
Which brand of football is superior? Which team is better equipped to face an opponent unlike any it has faced all season? Mayfield will be magnificent, and Oklahoma’s offense will often look unstoppable, but playing in the Arena League of college football didn’t prepare the Sooners for the punishing ground game and balanced defense the Bulldogs bring to Pasadena.
Georgia 34, Oklahoma 31