There may be no more interesting matchup in the College Football Playoff this season than Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma’s high-octane passing game taking on ballhawking safety Dominick Sanders and Georgia’s secondary in the Rose Bowl. The Sooners passing attack ranks in the top five in the nation in yards, yards per attempt, completion percentage and touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, the Bulldogs defense sits in the top 10 in passing yards allowed and yards per pass attempt.
- The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Oklahoma’s last 8 games against the SEC.
- Georgia is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games in January.
- Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield has thrown 13 TDs and 0 INTs in the last 4 games.
Of course, Oklahoma’s offense revolves around Mayfield, the 2017 Heisman Sportsbook. The senior quarterback is brutally efficient with the ball and has proven time and time again his ability to make plays with his legs when things break down. His favorite target is tight end Mark Andrews, who is second on the team in receiving and first in receiving touchdowns. However, Andrews is going to have a difficult time getting open with an experienced safety duo and the best linebacking unit in the country.
Of all the teams in the playoffs, Oklahoma has the worst defense and it’s not even close. The Sooners rank 81st in the nation in yards allowed but their bend-don’t-break defense has held opponents to a respectable 25 points per game. And though this unit will be scrutinized leading into the Rose Bowl, the OU defense has held ranked opponents to 20 points or less in three of four matchups this season.
Georgia’s offense is run-heavy thanks to the combination of Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. Chubb and Michel, who are third and ninth in the SEC in rushing yards respectively, have combined for over 2,000 yards and 26 touchdowns. Fans in Athens were concerned when freshman Jake Fromm was forced into starting duties at quarterback but the 19-year-old has been incredibly efficient as a passer.
Georgia’s defense is one of the best in the nation and has talent at every single position. However, the linebacker unit may be the most talented group in all of college football. Roquan Smith is coming off a Butkus Award-winning season that saw him pace the Bulldogs in tackles, sacks and quarterback hurries. The back end is stuffed to the brim with upperclassmen who understand their role in the defense and work as one complete unit.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Oklahoma Sooners opened as 1.5-point favorites at Sportsbook. The total was to be set later for OVER/UNDER betting purposes.
Prediction-scoring formulas run on this game pointed to a potential 42-37 result in favor of the Bulldogs. That outcome may change if injuries alter the models, so check the college football picks page before game time. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NCAAF matchups here.
Georgia Bulldogs vs Oklahoma Sooners Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Supporters of the Georgia Bulldogs have seen them go 12-1 and 9-4 ATS so far this season, while the Oklahoma Sooners are at 12-1 and 8-5 ATS. In totals betting, the Sooners are 6-6-1, while the Bulldogs are 5-8. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Oklahoma vs Georgia injuries news.
The power rankings show a disparity between these teams, with the Sooners rated this week at No. 8 and the Bulldogs sitting at No. 5.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Oklahoma's No. 4-ranked offense, averaging 45.25 PPG, against a Georgia defense that ranks No. 5 this week at 13.75 PPG. The Oklahoma aerial game is averaging 377.75 yards per game, more than the Georgia Bulldogs secondary allows through the air, 159.42 YPG per game.
Defensively, the Bulldogs feature the league's No. 24-rated road run defense, allowing 129 yards per game. Oklahoma, meanwhile, ranks No. 27 in rushing offense at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Auburn didn't make much of a game of it last time out, losing to the Bulldogs as Georgia blasted them 28-7 in Week 14 action.
TCU didn't make much of a game of it last time out, losing to the Sooners as Oklahoma blasted them 41-17 in Week 14 action.
