The first semifinal in the College Football Playoff comes on the afternoon of December 28, as LSU makes its first appearance in a CFP game, while Oklahoma makes its fourth. However, Oklahoma has lost each of its first three semifinal appearances, and this stadium has a lot of intangibles. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is where Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts, when he played for Alabama, was benched at halftime before he watched Tua Tagovailoa come on as a freshman and deliver a national championship, and it’s where he came off the bench the next year to lead Alabama past Georgia to win the SEC. For LSU, quarterback Joe Burrow comes in with his brand-new Heisman Trophy, and with the pressure of even grander expectations. Don’t miss our sports betting preview of this instant classic.
LSU vs Oklahoma 2019 Peach Bowl Odds, Analysis & Prediction
We’ve got a football feud! pic.twitter.com/JV1bUJI4Ox
— Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (@CFAPeachBowl) December 24, 2019
- When: Saturday, December 28, 2019, 4:00 pm ET
- Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
- TV: ESPN
- Radio: ESPN Radio
- Live Stream: WatchESPN
- 2019 Peach Bowl Odds: LSU -14
Why should you bet on LSU?
LSU had some questions facing their defense after permitting almost 1,200 yards of total offense in wins over Alabama and Ole Miss. Then came Arkansas and Texas A&M, and the LSU defense was getting after the quarterback, clogging up holes for the running game, and covering wide receivers. Safety Grant Delpit won the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the best defensive back in the nation, but cornerback Derek Stingley might be even better.
Joe Burrow has completed at least 70 percent of his passes in every game this season. He only averaged under nine yards per attempt in that win over Auburn, and he only has multiple interceptions in one game — that barnburner against Ole Miss. He has beaten Tua Tagovailoa, Jake Fromm, and Sam Ehlinger, three quarterbacks viewed as headed to the NFL. If you like LSU to cover here, you see their defense stopping Oklahoma, particularly after halftime, while their offense keeps plugging away to add insult to injury.
Why should you put your money on Oklahoma?
In the past, the Sooners have taken justified criticism for their lack of a defense. In 2018, they were last in all of college football in passing yards permitted per game and first downs permitted. However, this year the unit has improved, leading the Big 12 in total defense and finishing ninth in the nation in third-down conversion percentage permitted. LSU has a pass-first offense, but Oklahoma was able to shut down the likes of Texas’ Sam Ehlinger (210 yards, no touchdowns) and Texas Tech (122 passing yards).
No quarterback in the College Football Playoff has more experience in this situation than Jalen Hurts. He will make his fourth appearance in four straight years, and this is his seventh playoff game in his career. He has wide receiver CeeDee Lamb down the field, and if the Tigers don’t use a spy to keep an eye on Hurts, he will take off and run. Hurts got overlooked for another chance at a Heisman, so don’t think that he doesn’t view this game as a way to put a crowning touch in an incredible quarterbacking career.
Final Score Prediction
Jalen Hurts is one of the great stories in college football over the last four years. However, he is not Joe Burrow. Also, LSU has better offensive and defensive lines than the Sooners. Oklahoma does not have the total team that LSU has, so while the game should be close at halftime, LSU should be able to impose their will on the Sooners as the second half wears on. However, a 14-point spread is too big for this game, so I would expect it to contract a bit as action piles up on the Oklahoma side of the wager. If it does not get smaller, then you can still take advantage by betting on the Sooners. I predict a final score of LSU 41, Oklahoma 31.
