OKLAHOMA (12-1) VS. GEORGIA (12-1)
Site: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.
Kickoff: Monday, 5 p.m. TV: ESPN.
Line: Georgia by 2 ½.
All-time series: First meeting.
Last meeting: None.
OKLAHOMA
Coach: Lincoln Riley (1st season, 12-1).
All-time postseason: 29-20-1.
Last postseason appearance: Beat Auburn 35-19 in 2016 Sugar Bowl.
Draft spotlight: QB Baker Mayfield. From a walk-on backup at Texas Tech to a Heisman Trophy winner at Oklahoma, Mayfield’s most attractive traits revolve around intangibles. His confidence/swagger/moxie elevates his level of play and those around him in high-pressure situations. Read full report here.
Other Sooners to watch: FB Dimitri Flowers, *OT Orlando Brown, C Erick Wren, LB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo.
Sooner Bits: Oklahoma has won 22 of its past 23 games since a 1-2 start last season. The lone blemish came at Iowa State in October. … The Sooners lead the nation in total offense (583.3 yards) and have scored TDs on 47 percent of their offensive possessions. … A victory would make Riley just the third coach since 1892 to win 13 games in his debut season.
GEORGIA
Coach: Kirby Smart (2nd season, 20-6).
All-time postseason: 30-19-3.
Last postseason appearance: Beat TCU 31-23 in 2016 Liberty Bowl.
Draft spotlight: RB Sony Michel. A hard-nosed, overly aggressive runner with an angry style that rarely goes down on initial contact. Though his backfield vision could improve, Michel has averaged more yards per carry than backfield mate Nick Chubb in each of the past three seasons. Read full report here.
Other Bulldogs to watch: RB Nick Chubb, TE Jeb Blazevich, LB Lorenzo Carter, LB Davin Bellamy, *LB Roquan Smith.
Bulldog Snaps: Georgia’s only previous trip to the Rose Bowl led to a national title. Led by RB Charley Trippi, the Dawgs beat UCLA 9-0 on New Year’s Day 1943. … The UGa defense has kept each of its past two opponents off the scoreboard in the second half (Georgia Tech & Auburn). … Georgia is making its 21st consecutive bowl appearance, which ranks No.3 in the nation.
* underclass draft prospect