No one expected neither LSU nor Oklahoma to qualify for the College Football Playoff, and yet here they are, set to square off against each other in the Peach Bowl on Saturday.
it was predicted that LSU, would, once again, have a solid regular season, but lose to Alabama, which they had done every year since 2012, but that did not happen. LSU went into the game as big underdogs, yet went into Tuscaloosa and dominated the Crimson Tide. It officially put quarterback Joe Burrow on the map, and he has not slowed down since, winning the Heisman Trophy, and likely on track to be the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Dec 28, 2019; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; LSU Tigers running back John Emery Jr. (4) celebrates with wide receiver Racey McMath (17) after scoring a touchdown against the Oklahoma Sooners during the fourth quarter of the 2019 Peach Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
As for Oklahoma, the team lost Kyler Murray, who many believed was irreplaceable. In came journeyman Jalen Hurts, who was passed over at Alabama, yet here he is, in the College Football Playoff, while the Crimson Tide are playing against Michigan in a fairly meaningless bowl game — at least by their standards. But Hurts has been everything he showed he could be when he was at his best at Alabama, showing off his strong leadership qualities to elevate the play of his teammates, and also beating opposing teams with both his arm and his legs.
These two head coaches are drawing a lot of headlines, too, and understandably so. They’re polar opposites, and have completely different personalities. Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley is a soft-spoken, innovative offensive guru who lets his players do the talking, and creates gameplans that completely throw opposing teams off balance. As for LSU head coach Ed Orgeron, he’s an outspoken, brazen guy, who acts like one of the players more than anything. He cut his teeth on the defensive side of the ball, but the Tigers’ offense is clicking on all cylinders as well.
Dec 28, 2019; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) scores a touchdown during the third quarter of the 2019 Peach Bowl college football playoff semifinal game against the LSU Tigers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Fans can expect an uptempo game with plenty of passing yards, and plenty of points, as College Football betting odds have the Tigers as a 13-point favorite. But don’t be surprised if it starts a bit slow, given the magnitude of the game, and the ability of both defenses to create negative plays, in the form of both sacks and turnovers. No matter what happens in the first two quarters, expect the second half to feature plenty of points, with both head coaches making adjustments, and figuring out how to carve up their opposition. Saturday’s game will not disappoint, so make sure to tune in.
