Oklahoma Sooners vs LSU Tigers: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA

When: Saturday, December 28th at 4 pm EST

How (TV): ESPN

Oklahoma Sooners

At work.

More ? https://t.co/IUv8VpZxux#CFBPlayoff #BoomerSooner pic.twitter.com/wTDAwl8eBF

— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) December 24, 2019

Head Coach: Lincoln Riley {All-Time: 36-5 | OKLA}

Regular Season Record: 12-1

Since the inception of the playoff in 2014, the Oklahoma Sooners have yet to play for the opportunity to claim college football’s ultimate prize, losing each of their semi-final appearances in 2015, 2017, and 2018.

Coach Lincoln Riley has been on the sidelines for two of those defeats, each of them with Heisman winning quarterbacks leading his offense. With Jalen Hurts finishing as the Heisman runner up to opposing signal-caller Joe Burrow, perhaps Riley’s fortunes could turn on the field.

Despite being the only playoff participant with a loss on their resume, the Sooners have rarely failed to impress, averaging 43.2 points per game, which ranks sixth in the nation.

More importantly, their defense has shown marked improvement, allowing 24.5 points per contest after allowing 33.3 last season. That improvement will come in handy against arguably the best offense in the nation.

Back Inside @MBStadium

It’s Officially Game Week#GeauxTigers | #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/3O1tS8rVG3

— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) December 23, 2019

Head Coach: Ed Orgeron{All-Time: 54-36 | MISS, USC, LSU}

Regular Season Record: 13-0

After years of fielding an underwhelming offense headlined by mediocre quarterback play, the LSU Tigers finally found a solution with Heisman winner Joe Burrow. The Bayou Bengals will look to ensure their playoff journey ends in the back yard of New Orleans after making their first-ever appearance this Saturday.

Armed with a three-headed monster at receiver, Burrow has torched opposing secondaries for 363 yards per game, while completing 77.9% of his passes, a mark that leads all FBS passers. With two more passing touchdowns, the Ohio State transfer can become just the seventh quarterback since 1956 to crack 50 touchdown throws in a season.

Oklahoma vs LSU All-Time Series

These two schools have met just twice prior to Saturday’s game, splitting the two Sugar Bowl meetings in New Orleans. The most recent meeting occurred in the 2004 Sugar Bowl, with the Nick Saban-led Tigers winning 21-14.

Notable names from that game include former NFLers Joseph Addai, Devery Henderson, and Marcus Spears from LSU. Bob Stoops’ Oklahoma squad was led by that season’s Heisman winner, quarterback Jason White.

Freshman receiver Trejan Bridges, Sophomore defensive end Ronnie Perkins, and junior running back Rhamondre Stevenson will not be available after being suspended for failed drug tests.

Sophomore safety Delarrin Turner-Yell will not be available due to a collarbone injury.

Redshirt sophomore running back Kennedy Brooks is listed as questionable with an undisclosed injury, but is expected to play according to Riley.

LSU Roster Notes

Junior running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury suffered on a non-contact play in practice last week.

Head-to-Head: Charleston Rambo (OKLA) vs Derek Stingley Jr.

With 2018 Biletnikoff winner CeeDee Lamb likely being shadowed by LSU’s most experienced corner, Kristian Fulton, OU’s second receiving option Charleston Rambo should see his fair share of looks. Freshman phenom Derek Stingley Jr. will look to be all over those passes in an effort to shut down Oklahoma’s passing game.

Charleston Rambo

Wide Receiver | 6-1, 180lb | Cedar Hill HS | Cedar Hill, TX | Redshirt Sophomore
An underrated recruit in 2017, Charleston Rambo has stepped up by putting together some solid performances this season. With 100-yard games early in the season against Houston, UCLA, and Texas Tech, Rambo has shown that he is capable of going off. Although he has not found the end zone since October 19th against West Virginia, he will be heavily counted on, especially with tight end Grant Calcaterra retiring from football in November.

Derek Stingley Jr.

Cornerback | 6-1, 190lb | Dunham School | Baton Rouge, LA | Freshman
Derek Stingley Jr. has more than lived up to his recruiting hype after becoming a consensus All-American selection. The local product has proven he can handle SEC competition, with all but one of his six interceptions coming in conference play. Two of those picks recently came in the SEC championship game against Jake Fromm and the Georgia Bulldogs, which took place in the same stadium where Stingley Jr. will look to make life difficult for Jalen Hurts.

Oklahoma vs LSU Odds

The latest odds for Oklahoma vs LSU are provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, 888Sport NJ, and Caesars NJ.

Money Line