This one is the biggest one of them all, and it shouldn?t disappoint. Oklahoma is out to prove itself to the nation, while LSU is out to show that they are the best in the country, even with USC playing elsewhere. With all of the hype and controversy surrounding this game, it should go down in history as one of the best.
Oklahoma is out to show critics that they deserve to be playing for the national championship. Many people doubt the BCS system since Oklahoma finished third in the human polls after getting embarrassed by Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship Game. Oklahoma responds well after being embarrassed, posting a 6-0 ATS record in road games after a loss by 28 or more points.
Oklahoma quarterback Jason White is also out to prove something. After a dismal performance in Oklahoma?s loss to Kansas State, White is out to prove that he deserved to win the Heisman Trophy. A strong showing against a tough LSU defense would certainly quiet most critics.
Oklahoma is the highest scoring team in the in the nation scoring 45.2 points per game. White is the biggest reason for the Sooners? success on offense this year, as he as put up record-breaking numbers totaling 3,744 yards and 40 touchdowns through the air. His favorite target is junior wide receiver Mark Clayton, who has caught 79 balls for 1,393 yards and 15 touchdowns.
White shares the backfield with two solid running backs. Kejuan Jones leads the Sooners with 866 yards and eleven touchdowns. Behind him is Renaldo Works who has ran for 714 yards and eight scores. These two help take some of the pressure off of White, but for the Sooners to be successful on offense, White needs to have a big game.
On defense, Oklahoma has the second best defense in the nation. The Sooners are second in the nation at defending the pass, allowing just 145.8 yards per game. They are also third in the nation in scoring defense, allowing only 14.8 points per game. The OU defense will need to play their best if the Sooners are going to be crowned national champions.
LSU has been just as dominating as Oklahoma this season, and have the only defense in the country that is better than Oklahoma?s. The Tigers led the nation in scoring defense allowing only 10.8 points per game. Coming off a dominating 34-13 win in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia, LSU is 15-5 ATS after allowing 14 points or less in their previous game.
Many people probably didn?t notice LSU?s defense because they were busy blowing out their opponents. LSU beat its opponents by an average of 24 points this season. This explosiveness is due largely to the arm of LSU quarterback Matt Mauck. Like White, Mauck has put up impressive numbers of his own. He?s thrown for over 2,700 yards and 28 touchdowns.
When LSU gets in the red zone, Mauck has two favorite targets to hit through the air. Wide receivers Michael Clayton and Devery Henderson lead the Tigers in receiving yards with 1,041 and 837 yards. Clayton has caught ten touchdowns this season, but Henderson leads LSU receivers with eleven scores.
On the ground, speedy running back Justin Vincent has ran for 884 yards this year, but he finished the season with an amazing 200-plus yard performance against Georgia. Vincent also scored two touchdowns that game. If Vincent is able to carry that momentum into the Sugar Bowl, Oklahoma could be in trouble.
LSU coach Nick Saban?s has been mentioned as a candidate to fill some of the coaching vacancies in the NFL. Saban will have to convince his players to ignore all of the hype and just go out and play. But this is just one distraction that could have an effect on LSU.
LSU picked the perfect year to make it to the national championship game. Tiger fans don?t have to leave the beautiful state of Louisiana to see their team play. Oklahoma fans only have to cross their eastern border to get to the Sugar Bowl. This will make for a loud atmosphere, which could make it tough for both teams to play in.
The line for the Nokia Sugar Bowl opened with Oklahoma 5.5 point favorites. Right now it?s at 6.5 in favor of the Sooners. The total has moved up from 46 points to 48.5 points.
Both teams have trends working in their favor for this game. LSU is 8-2 ATS after a straight up win this season, and are also 9-2 ATS after gaining 275 or more rushing yards in their previous game. The Sooners are 10-2 ATS after failing to cover the spread in two out of their last three games, and they are also 8-2 ATS after having won 2 out of their last 3 games.
MY PICKS:
OKLAHOMA AND UNDER
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!
Oklahoma is out to show critics that they deserve to be playing for the national championship. Many people doubt the BCS system since Oklahoma finished third in the human polls after getting embarrassed by Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship Game. Oklahoma responds well after being embarrassed, posting a 6-0 ATS record in road games after a loss by 28 or more points.
Oklahoma quarterback Jason White is also out to prove something. After a dismal performance in Oklahoma?s loss to Kansas State, White is out to prove that he deserved to win the Heisman Trophy. A strong showing against a tough LSU defense would certainly quiet most critics.
Oklahoma is the highest scoring team in the in the nation scoring 45.2 points per game. White is the biggest reason for the Sooners? success on offense this year, as he as put up record-breaking numbers totaling 3,744 yards and 40 touchdowns through the air. His favorite target is junior wide receiver Mark Clayton, who has caught 79 balls for 1,393 yards and 15 touchdowns.
White shares the backfield with two solid running backs. Kejuan Jones leads the Sooners with 866 yards and eleven touchdowns. Behind him is Renaldo Works who has ran for 714 yards and eight scores. These two help take some of the pressure off of White, but for the Sooners to be successful on offense, White needs to have a big game.
On defense, Oklahoma has the second best defense in the nation. The Sooners are second in the nation at defending the pass, allowing just 145.8 yards per game. They are also third in the nation in scoring defense, allowing only 14.8 points per game. The OU defense will need to play their best if the Sooners are going to be crowned national champions.
LSU has been just as dominating as Oklahoma this season, and have the only defense in the country that is better than Oklahoma?s. The Tigers led the nation in scoring defense allowing only 10.8 points per game. Coming off a dominating 34-13 win in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia, LSU is 15-5 ATS after allowing 14 points or less in their previous game.
Many people probably didn?t notice LSU?s defense because they were busy blowing out their opponents. LSU beat its opponents by an average of 24 points this season. This explosiveness is due largely to the arm of LSU quarterback Matt Mauck. Like White, Mauck has put up impressive numbers of his own. He?s thrown for over 2,700 yards and 28 touchdowns.
When LSU gets in the red zone, Mauck has two favorite targets to hit through the air. Wide receivers Michael Clayton and Devery Henderson lead the Tigers in receiving yards with 1,041 and 837 yards. Clayton has caught ten touchdowns this season, but Henderson leads LSU receivers with eleven scores.
On the ground, speedy running back Justin Vincent has ran for 884 yards this year, but he finished the season with an amazing 200-plus yard performance against Georgia. Vincent also scored two touchdowns that game. If Vincent is able to carry that momentum into the Sugar Bowl, Oklahoma could be in trouble.
LSU coach Nick Saban?s has been mentioned as a candidate to fill some of the coaching vacancies in the NFL. Saban will have to convince his players to ignore all of the hype and just go out and play. But this is just one distraction that could have an effect on LSU.
LSU picked the perfect year to make it to the national championship game. Tiger fans don?t have to leave the beautiful state of Louisiana to see their team play. Oklahoma fans only have to cross their eastern border to get to the Sugar Bowl. This will make for a loud atmosphere, which could make it tough for both teams to play in.
The line for the Nokia Sugar Bowl opened with Oklahoma 5.5 point favorites. Right now it?s at 6.5 in favor of the Sooners. The total has moved up from 46 points to 48.5 points.
Both teams have trends working in their favor for this game. LSU is 8-2 ATS after a straight up win this season, and are also 9-2 ATS after gaining 275 or more rushing yards in their previous game. The Sooners are 10-2 ATS after failing to cover the spread in two out of their last three games, and they are also 8-2 ATS after having won 2 out of their last 3 games.
MY PICKS:
OKLAHOMA AND UNDER
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!
