Game Info
#11 Oklahoma Sooners vs #3 Alabama Crimson Tide
Thursday – January 2 – 7:30 PM
TV: ESPN
Mercedes-Benz Superdome – New Orleans
A big matchup between two of the most storied college football programs in history. The Alabama Crimson Tide (11-1) will face the Oklahoma Sooners (10-2) in the legendary Allstate Sugar Bowl. Nick Saban versus Bob Stoops is enough electricity to power the city of New Orleans. The two coaches last met in 2004 in the city for the national title. This will be the third time the two schools have met in the postseason.
Alabama Crimson Tide
The two-time BCS Champion Tide will not have the chance to three-peat after losing in Death Valley on the most incredible football play in history at the Iron Bowl. Alabama feels strongly they have a lot to prove to themselves and the rest of the world. Quarterback and Heisman finalist A.J. McCarron will be running the offense for the last time of his collegiate career.
Oklahoma Sooners
The Sooners ended the season with a win over rival Oklahoma State in the Battle of Bedlam. Stoops will be using the two-quarterback system with Blake Bell and Trevor Knight as he did the last three games of the season. They will be also hoping to count on their 11th ranked run defense to slow down the Tide.
Keys to Victory
Alabama enters the game a 16-point favorite, but they will not take the Sooners lightly. Many believe the Alabama is still the best team in the country regardless of their only loss. Oklahoma will try to cause havoc for the ‘Bama defense with a dual-threat at quarterback. Johnny Manziel and Auburn’s Nick Marshall had over 90-yards rushing against them.
Prediction: Alabama 27 – Oklahoma 17
