Thursday, January 2, 2014

Preview: Allstate Sugar Bowl

Thursday, January 2

All-State Sugar Bowl- #11 Oklahoma vs. #3 Alabama, 8:30pm ET, ESPN

Alabama- Oklahoma has all the makings of BCS Blowout.  Alabama dominated opponents all season long (except, obviously against Auburn), while Oklahoma spent much of the season winning, but searching for an identity every week. 

It’s been a back and forth quarterback situation between Blake Bell, Trevor Knight and Kendal Thompson all season.   Bell played well after coming in for an injured Trevor Knight to lead the Sooners to a big road win at Oklahoma State.  Despite the win for Bell, there’s still no clear leader at quarterback and against a defense like Alabama that could pose a major problem.  That makes the job of Jalen Saunders and Brennan Clay that much more important for the Sooners.  If Saunders and Clay cannot help take the pressure off whoever lines up at quarterback, it’s going to be a long day for a Bob Stoops and this offense.

Alabama had been penciled in to the BCS Championship game since the preseason and after a historic loss to an Auburn team they were controlling, you have to wonder a little bit about how hungry this team will be.  It’s hard to question Nick Saban and senior quarterback AJ McCarron, who will look to punctuate a brilliant career with a fourth BCS Bowl win.  McCarron will lean on running back TJ Yeldon and a talented receiving corp against a solid Oklahoma defense that finished 22nd in the nation. 

Alabama is a solid favorite in this game and rightly so.  Bob Stoops’ track record in big games is questionable and with three weeks to prepare, Nick Saban will certainly have this team chomping at the bit to erase the Iron Bowl memory.  I think Alabama will come out sharp and control the Sooners from start to finish.  Oklahoma is simply overmatched across the board and against this defense, not having a reliable quarterback under center will prove costly.  Bama will roll.

Our picks-
Jeremy- Alabama, 38-17
Nick- Alabama, 41-24

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