Oklahoma vs. Georgia, Rose Bowl 2018: Preview and prediction

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 02: Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm (11) drops back to pass during the SEC Championship Game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Auburn Tigers on December 02, 2017 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. The Georgia Bulldogs won the game 28-7. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 07: Nick Chubb #27 of the Georgia Bulldogs plays against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

Prediction

Oklahoma’s defense is better than most people will give them credit for. While that may be so, however, they are still a flawed team. And while they’ve proven to be able to stop the run in big games, they’ve not faced any team that can move the ball on the ground quite like Nick Chubb and Georgia can. When you have an inconsistent defense going up against a powder-keg of an offense, the advantage goes to the latter more often than not.

On top of that, you have to like the speed of this Georgia defense and what it could potentially do to frustrate Mayfield and the Sooners offense. Not only will they be able to likely contain him and not move the ball with his legs, but they’ll also be able to keep up with targets over the middle and stay with guys that Mayfield is often used to buying enough time to let break free. If that weren’t enough, the Bulldogs also have the bodies to make plays and stop the OU rushing attack.

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Ultimately, this all adds up to Georgia being the superior team in this matchup. Both on offense and defense, they have the talent and personnel to simply control how this game is going to go. Mayfield and the Sooners are too talented not to put up a fight and a respectable showing. But when the clock reads triple zeroes after 60 minutes, it’ll be the SEC Championship moving on to vie for a National Championship.

Final Score Prediction: Georgia – 31, Oklahoma – 21