It’s been two decades since Oklahoma last won a national championship, and the Sooners have yet to win a College Football Playoff game despite being the best team in the Big 12 most seasons. Oklahoma has failed to win a single CFP semifinal with a 37-17 loss to Clemson in the 2015 Orange Bowl, a 54-48 double overtime loss to Georgia in the 2017 Rose Bowl, and a 45-34 loss to Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. The Sooners are hoping their fortunes will change against the LSU Tigers in the Peach Bowl, but they are almost a two-touchdown underdog per the college football betting odds.
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College Football Playoff odds: LSU vs. Oklahoma
- LSU Tigers -13.5 vs. Oklahoma Sooners, O/U 76
The oddsmakers nailed the total in this game as there has been no line movement either way. Although 68.9 percent of all total bets have come in on the under, the line hasn’t moved an inch. The same can’t be said for the spread though as 69.3 percent of spread bets are on the Bayou Bengals, helping move the line from 12 points to 13.5 points.
LSU vs. Oklahoma history
LSU and Oklahoma have never met in the regular season, only meeting twice in their proud histories. Both of those meetings were in the Sugar Bowl and the most recent was for a national title. The Tigers beat the Sooners for the BCS National championship in the 2004 Sugar Bowl, winning just their second national championship in school history.
When LSU has the ball
Joe Burrow won the Heisman Trophy by a record-setting margin this season. Burrow had a standout year in Joe Brady’s offense, leading LSU to big wins over six different teams ranked in the top ten. He set numerous school and SEC records with his performance, and he is expected to light up Oklahoma’s defense.
The Tigers have two great receivers in Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. Chase is averaging more than 20 YPC with 73 receptions for 1,498 yards and 18 touchdowns, while Jefferson has 88 receptions for 1,207 yards and 14 scores. LSU is generally known for wasting receiving talents like Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, but these receivers have lived up to their potential in a revamped offense.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire has accumulated 1,689 yards and 17 touchdowns on 247 touches, and Burrow is a competent runner himself. That has made this offense the best in the nation per SP+, and they are expected to torch an Oklahoma defense that is 36th in the country in SP+.
When Oklahoma has the ball
Jalen Hurts has continued Lincoln Riley’s legacy of getting the best out of transfer quarterbacks. Hurts had the best season of his career in Norman in 2019, and he could be a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft with the success we’ve seen Lamar Jackson have at the next level this year.
He has thrown for 3,634 yards and 32 touchdowns against seven interceptions, while running for 1,255 yards and 18 touchdowns. His play has made this offense the second-best in the nation per SP+, and he
has a superstar receiver in CeeDee Lamb. Lamb has 58 receptions for 1,208 yards and 14 touchdowns, while Charleston Rambo isn’t far behind with 42 receptions for 734 yards and five touchdowns.
The running back depth is something to worry about though. Rhamondre Stevenson has been suspended and Trey Sermon is out for the season, leaving Kennedy Brooks as the only running back with real experience. Brooks has 976 yards and five touchdowns this year, averaging 6.7 YPC, but the next leading rusher has just 62 yards.
LSU has a top 20 defense by SP+, but this unit has struggled at times. Safety Grant Delpit is the player to watch though, and he has excellent instincts.
Peach Bowl betting trends
- Oklahoma is 7-2 ATS in its last nine games as an underdog per the college football betting odds.
- The under is 8-2 in Oklahoma’s last 10 games against SEC teams.
- LSU is 5-0 ATS in its last five games against Big 12 teams.
LSU vs. Oklahoma prediction
The Tigers have been the best team in the nation this season. They will be well prepared on offense with Joe Brady finding ways to get his playmakers open, and they will outpace an Oklahoma offense that just can’t score enough to keep up.
