Statistically, both of these teams are very comparable. One could even say eerily comparable when taking these numbers into account:
- Points per game: LSU 47.8 | Oklahoma 43.2
- Points allowed per game: LSU 21.2 | Oklahoma 24.5
- Total yards per game: LSU 554.3 | Oklahoma 554.2
- Yards allowed per game: LSU 341.3 | Oklahoma 330.6
Now, one could sit here and argue that these numerical comparisons are influenced by varying external factors, mainly strength of schedule, but none of that will matter once opening kickoff arrives.
LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, your 2019 Heisman Trophy winner, is obviously the most noteworthy player that will be on the field in Atlanta on Saturday. On 439 attempts this year, Burrow has thrown for a whopping 4,715 yards (2nd most) and 48 touchdowns (most in the country), with a completion rate of 77.9%. Burrow did all of this while only throwing six interceptions. The newest addition to the Heisman House has undeniable talent and poise; LSU's schedule featured a handful of huge games, and this kid never seemed to lose his cool.
Burrow has had plenty of fun throwing to one of the nation's best wide receivers, sophomore Ja'Marr Chase. He leads the nation in reception yards (1,498) and touchdown receptions (18) on 73 catches (averaging 20.5 yards per reception). There have only been four games this year in which Chase hasn't tallied reception yards in the triple digits: 21 yards vs Georgia Southern, 54 yards vs Utah State, 48 vs Mississippi State, and 41 against Georgia in the SEC Championship. Chase's most dominant performance came on the road at Vanderbilt, where he caught ten passes for 229 yards and four touchdowns.
LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been a big-time difference maker in this offense, but the team may be without their leading rusher on Saturday. The junior is dealing with a hamstring injury, and it is uncertain if he will play. Even if he does, which he might, who really knows how effective he'll be. Edwards-Helaire has rushed for 1,290 yards and 16 touchdowns (11th most nationwide) on 197 carries (6.5 yards per rush). He's also tallied 399 reception yards this season on 50 catches. Throughout the year, he has eclipsed 100 yards on the ground six different times, most notably when he ran for 188 yards on only six carries against Arkansas.
The Tigers' defensive unit is highlighted by two absolute studs in the defensive backfield: junior safety Grant Delpit and freshman cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. Delpit has had the honor of wearing No. 7 for LSU this season, and is projected by many to be a first round NFL draft pick in the spring. He is the 2019 Jim Thorpe award winner, which is given to college football's top defensive back. The consensus All-American has racked up 56 tackles (3 TFL, 1 sack), two picks, and eight pass breakups. And then Stingley has been one of, if not the, most impressive freshmen in the country. The Baton Rouge native was deemed a consensus All-American, as he totaled 34 tackles, six interceptions (5th most nationwide) and 21 pass breakups. It will be difficult for the Sooners to rely heavily on their passing game against a defensive backfield like this one.
Taking a look at the Big 12 Champs, Oklahoma will be hoping that Jalen Hurts' abundant playoff experience from his past life at Alabama will translate into success in the semifinal spotlight. It's indisputable that LSU has the more proven football team, but if the Sooners are able to pull off something special, it will rely on Jalen Hurts absolutely balling out. Which, for the record, he is capable of. But to what extent? On the year, Hurts has been a force throwing for 3,634 yards (9th most) and 32 touchdowns (tied for 10th most), while also rushing for 1,255 yards and 18 touchdowns. Hurts possesses a rare form of athleticism, which allows him to make big plays amidst chaos, something the LSU certainly plans on providing. Hurts' talent combined with his big game experience could potentially disrupt LSU's path to glory. In Oklahoma's regular season finale against Oklahoma State, Hurts recorded a passing, rushing, and receiving touchdown like the jack of all trades that he is.
Hurts' favorite receiver is one of the most dangerous playmakers in all of college football, CeeDee Lamb. Quite frankly, CeeDee Lamb has the ability to gain big yardage and/or get into the end zone anytime the ball is in his hands. The way he can make multiple defenders look silly is truly something to marvel at. There's not a single doubt in my mind that he'll be a first round pick in the spring. The junior out of Richmond, TX has reeled in 58 catches for 1.208 yards (8th most) for an average of 20.8 yards per reception (7th best). His 14 touchdown catches are tied for the 4th most in the country. Lamb has recorded over 100 yards in six different games this season: 173 on eight catches against Iowa State, 135 on five catches at Kansas State, 171 on ten against Texas, 185 on seven against Texas Tech, and 144 on six against South Dakota.
Although Jalen Hurts is leading Oklahoma in rushing this year, a few different running backs have been pretty significant contributors as well: Kennedy Brooks is averaging 6.7 yards per carry on 145 touches with five touchdowns. Trey Sermon has been accountable for four touchdowns and 385 yards, with an average of 7.1 yards per carry. Unfortunately for this run-attack, Rhamondre Stevenson is suspended for this game; he's totaled 515 yards on 64 carries, which is an eight-yard average, and has tallied six trips to the end zone.
Stevenson isn't the only significant loss due to suspension, as Oklahoma's best pass rusher, defensive end Ronnie Perkins, is also being forced to sit this one out. The sophomore out of Saint Louis has put up 38 tackles (28 solo, 10 assisted) and six sacks this year, on top of a forced fumble back in week one. Perkins led the defense in sacks, although sophomore defensive tackle Jalen Redmond is right behind him with 5.5. The unit as a whole has totaled 35 sacks. As we all know, the LSU offense loves to utilize Burrow's arm, so the Sooners' pass rush absolutely needs to show up.
These two teams have faced off only two times before this: a 35-0 victory for Oklahoma all the way back in 1950, and a 21-14 win for LSU to cap off the 2003 season, giving Nick Saban his first of many National Championships. This is LSU's first appearance in the College Football Playoff, and Oklahoma has appeared in the final four twice before. Whether the Sooners' past in the playoff serves as "experience" or a reminder of coming up short, well that's up to your discretion. In 2015 Oklahoma got spanked 37-13 by Clemson. And then in 2017 at the Rose Bowl, they lost in an overtime thriller to Georgia. So there is a trend of progression in their semifinal appearances, and we'll see if they're able to take the next step after a playoff absence last season.
It all boils down to this: it'd take some shocking events for Oklahoma to pull this off. They're not a terrible team; they deserve this playoff spot. But LSU is a well-oiled machine and seems to have everything going for them. Oklahoma won all of their games except one, but they weren't beating legitimate competition in a convincing fashion. Yet the Tigers were able to get through a gauntlet of a schedule with an undefeated record. While Oklahoma does have some truly electric players, Coach O's boys have been simply phenomenal and I really struggle to believe the Sooners will be able to keep up with them all game.
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