LSU coach Ed Orgeron has gone from the guy no one wanted to one of the most lovable and best coaches in the game, and Sooners coach Lincoln Riley has proven himself to be one of the most adept offensive minds in all of football. The Tigers have never been in the CFP, while Oklahoma is making its third appearance and looking for its first victory.
The Tigers should feel more at home in Atlanta, though Sooners quarterback Jalen Hurts is more than familiar with Atlanta from his time at Alabama. While most fans will be watching Hurts and his opposite, Heisman winner Joe Burrow, the game will be decided by defense and which team runs the ball better.
LSU wants to spread Oklahoma out and score quickly, while Sooners will want to use long, methodical, physical drives and keep the ball away from the Tigers shiny offense.
PEACH BOWL
(1) LSU (13-0) vs. (4) Oklahoma (12-1)
BETTING NUMBERS: LSU -13.5, TOTAL 76
LSU TIGERS
BOWL RECORD: 26-23-1
BOWL RECORD vs Oklahoma: 1-1
RECORD vs Oklahoma: 1-1
AP/BCS/CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 3 (1958/2003/2007)
JEFF SAGARIN SOS: 15
RUSHING OFFENSE: 4.96 YPC (23RD)
PASSING OFFENSE: 10.25 YPA (6TH)
TOTAL OFFENSE: 7.70 YPP (T-2ND)
SCORING OFFENSE: 47.8 (3RD)
POINTS PER PLAY: 0.649 (2ND)
POINTS PER POSSESSION: 3.767 (3RD)
THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS: 50.63 (6TH)
RED ZONE TD PERCENTAGE: 76.92 (8TH)
PLAYS OF 20+ YARDS: 93 (3RD)
TIMES SACKED PER ATTEMPT: 0.059 (T-61ST)
RUSHING DEFENSE: 3.70 YPC (30TH)
PASSING DEFENSE: 6.48 YPA (T-19TH)
TOTAL DEFENSE: 5.09 YPP (27TH)
SCORING DEFENSE: 21.2 (25TH)
POINTS ALLOWED PER PLAY: 0.319 (T-24TH)
POINTS ALLOWED PER POSSESSION: 1.633 (T-17TH)
OPP THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS: 30.16 (10TH)
OPP RED ZONE TD PERCENTAGE: 58.82 (60TH)
PLAYS OF 20+ YARDS ALLOWED: 55 (T-52ND)
SACKS PER ATTEMPT: 0.073 (T-36TH)
TURNOVER MARGIN: +8 (T-15TH)
WHAT TO WATCH FOR ON OFFENSE
An aggressive, all-out attack on a Sooners defense that was improved but still pretty average, especially on the back end. Joe Burrow has shattered all existing passing records at LSU, and is deadly accurate with the football, even when pressured. He has a riverboat gambler attitude and is seemingly unflappable, so the Sooners are going to have to hope that he's a little too hyper and sails some passes early. Lead runner Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been banged up and may not be 100 percent, and he brings tenacity and burst to the Tigers ground attack. If he's limited or can't play then freshman Tyrion Davis-Price will be in the spotlight. The receiving corps is dazzling, led by All-America Ja'Marr Chase. He's blessed with outstanding speed and hands, but he's not alone. Justin Jefferson and Terrace Marshall each have double digit touchdowns, and tight end Thaddeus Moss has become a more utilized weapon late in the season. The addition of Joe Brady as passing game coordinator has done wonders for previously stodgy LSU. The Tigers don't get fancy with formations, they simply put the onus on the quarterback to make sound decisions and deliver the football. They also aren't afraid to take deep shots, leading the nation in pass plays of 20+ yards with 73. Whether against base or nickel, LSU has been nearly unstoppable, and there doesn't appear to be any indication of that changing here. If Oklahoma blitzes, Burrow will adjust and throw a slant or cross over the middle, and if the Sooners simply play zone on the back end Burrow will have too many weapons and open space to deal the football.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR ON DEFENSE
LSU hasn't had any true beasts up front, though Chaisson has been a force as an edge rusher. Aranda is aggressive with his front, and emphasizes getting into the backfield to create havoc. He has loosened the reins and is no longer afraid to stunt or loop up front. The linebackers are a strength, and have speed and power to spare. Patrick Queen and Jacob Phillips have been the difference-makers, and are among the Tigers leaders in tackles for loss. The LBs have taken to being more patient this year, where in previous seasons they would be the tone setters and be all over the place. There is something to being gap sound, and Aranda has gotten that group to buy in. It's helped that LSU has been able to stick with its favored Cover 1, thanks to the sticky man-to-man ability of Stingley Jr and Fulton. The former was only the best freshman defensive player in America, and the latter exhibited solid tackling as well as an ability to find the football (12 PBU). While Grant Delpit hasn't been as good as he was the last two seasons, fellow safety JaCoby Stevens has thrived in nickel and dime packages. Oklahoma's receivers will be a test for LSU, but the Tigers appear to have the personnel to hold up.
OUTLOOK
For years it was a tough-as-nails defense that guided LSU, with an offense that often kept the Tigers from achieving loftier heights. This year it's reversed, though the defense isn't exactly bad -- it's just not up to Dave Aranda standards. There have been a lot of injuries, but LSU has gotten healthy late in the year which has really helped the back seven. Linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson has been a beast, and in Derek Stingley and Kristian Fulton LSU has a corner tandem that many feel is the best in the country. LSU has been had on the deep ball more often than usual, so it's possible that Oklahoma takes some shots down the deep middle. Offensively, LSU is a mismatch for the Sooners defense. Blitzing will be high because OU doesn't have the athletes to hang with LSU's myriad weapons. Burrow may get hit, but won't get rattled, and has the rare distinction of being the nation's top rated passer with both a clean pocket AND with pressure. You don't see that very often. The Tigers will let it all hang out, so unless they turn the ball over a ton -- and considering there were five games without a turnover that could be wishful thinking on the part of the Sooners. Brady has taken LSU from its traditional 21 personnel to an RPO scheme, with more 10 and 11 personnel -- which he isn't afraid to run out of.
OKLAHOMA SOONERS
BOWL RECORD: 26-23-1
BOWL RECORD vs LSU: 1-1
RECORD vs LSU: 1-1
AP/BCS/CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 7 (1950/1955/1956/1974/1975/1985/2000)
JEFF SAGARIN SOS: 18
RUSHING OFFENSE: 5.94 YPC (4TH)
PASSING OFFENSE: 11.09 YPA (3RD)
TOTAL OFFENSE: 7.94 YPP (1ST)
SCORING OFFENSE: 43.2 (6TH)
POINTS PER PLAY: 0.604 (5TH)
POINTS PER POSSESSION: 3.612 (4TH)
THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS: 50.70 (5TH)
RED ZONE TD PERCENTAGE: 69.57 (28TH)
PLAYS OF 20+ YARDS: 104 (1ST)
TIMES SACKED PER ATTEMPT: 0.059 (T-61ST)
RUSHING DEFENSE: 4.10 YPC (T-54TH)
PASSING DEFENSE: 6.67 YPA (29TH)
TOTAL DEFENSE: 5.29 YPP (35TH)
SCORING DEFENSE: 24.5 (T-4TH)
POINTS ALLOWED PER PLAY: 0.408 (T-66TH)
POINTS ALLOWED PER POSSESSION:2.158 (55TH)
OPP THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS: 30.12 (9TH)
OPP RED ZONE TD PERCENTAGE: 62.79 (T-79TH)
PLAYS OF 20+ YARDS ALLOWED: 62 (T-87TH)
SACKS PER ATTEMPT: 0.087 (T-17TH)
TURNOVER MARGIN: -7 (T-109TH)
WHAT TO WATCH FOR ON OFFENSE
Lincoln Riley has shown himself to be a master offense technician, tweaking his offense to his personnel. This year the Sooners have become a more physical, downhill rush team, led by QB Jalen Hurts. He lacks the arm talent of predecessors Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, so Riley decided to lean more on the ground game this season. Hurts and Kennedy Brooks have been an outstanding 1-2 punch, and both could get more work than usual with backup Rhamondre Stevenson serving a suspension. The best defense for the Sooners could be a ground-heavy attack, which controls the clock and keeps Burrow and crew on the sideline. LSU is likely to blitz more than usual, so the Sooners may be able to hit some big plays, especially on counters and draws. When OU has to go to the air, it will be CeeDee Lamb who answers the call. One of the the best all-around talents in the game, Lamb is a proficient route runner, has strong hands and is deadly in the open field. His battle with Stingley is one to watch. The Sooners have a cadre of receivers who will need to step up if Lamb is neutralized, and the top candidate is Charleston Rambo. Hurts has more experience in big situations than any quarterback in the playoffs, and he has shown himself to be cool under fire. If any player can carry a team on his back, it's Hurts.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR ON DEFENSE
The Sooners may not be great yet on defense, but they have definitely improved over last year. Gone are the read and react looks, in favor of a more aggressive mindset. Alex Grinch definitely shook up the unit in his first season as coordinator, favoring a one-gap approach that has the defense shooting through gaps into the backfield. It's important to play assignment football in this scheme, and the Sooners have for the most part done that. Neville Gallimore has been a big-time run stuffer inside, and LB Kenneth Murray has been much more disciplined this year while still leading the team in tackles. Last year he roamed free, this year he was asked to play more assignment football -- which included some coverage responsibilities. The hope is that the defense creates enough negative plays to offset the occasional home run play it allows. LSU uses a lot of 10 and 11 personnel on offense, so don't be surprised if the Sooners employ dime personnel in obvious passing situations. That means Murray and Nick Bonitto could be asked to drop into coverage or maybe rush the passer. Two-high safeties will attempt to minimize damage on vertical routes. Parnell Motley has been excellent in coverage this season and may be asked to shadow Chase. But that still leaves Jefferson and Marshall as tough matchups, ones that Oklahoma probably won't win very often.
OUTLOOK
The Sooners are the biggest underdog in the playoff field, so they really have nothing to lose. Expect OU to come out loose, unintimidated and ready to play. There should be a steady diet of Hurts and Brooks, and if the ground game works early it will help set up some downfield shots to Lamb and his mates. If Oklahoma gets into a situation where it has to pass to win, things won't be pretty. Getting Lamb in space -- on jet sweeps, tunnel screens and slants -- is imperative as he is the X-factor for Oklahoma, a player LSU must account for on every down. A plan that limits deep throws and forces LSU to execute consistently could keep Oklahoma in the contest, and if the teams go into the fourth quarter in a tight contest, are you going to bet against Jalen Hurts?
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