Here are five Oklahoma offensive players you should keep an eye on against Georgia during the Rose Bowl.
1. QB Baker Mayfield
Credit: Jamie Squire
Credit: Jamie Squire
The Heisman Trophy winner. Enough said, right? Oklahoma’s success rests on the shoulders of Mayfield. As he goes, so go the Sooners. It has worked this season. He has dominated almost every defense he has faced, throwing for 4,340 yards, 41 touchdowns and five interceptions on 71 percent passing. Even in Oklahoma’s lone loss this season to Iowa State, Mayfield threw for 306 yards and two touchdowns. He is also a threat to break free from the pass rush and use his legs to pick up yards. He has rushed for 310 yards and five touchdowns this season. It’s rare to find a bad performance from the first-team All-American, but if Georgia wants to move on to the national championship, it’s defense is going to have to find a way to bring Mayfield back to earth. Mayfield has shown to have a volatile personality at times, so if the Bulldogs can through him off his game, Mayfield could lose his cool making Georgia’s job of containing him a little easier.
2. RB Rodney Anderson
Credit: Brett Deering
Credit: Brett Deering
The Sooners' running back position was in flux at the beginning of the season. Three ball carriers each got a chance to showcase their skills, but redshirt sophomore Rodney Anderson prevailed. Since the midway point of the season, Anderson has been Oklahoma's workhorse in the backfield. He has excelled with 91 percent of his rushing yards and 82 percent on his rushing touchdowns coming in the second half of the season. The 6-foot-2, 218-pound back has 960 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 162 carries. He is also a threat in Oklahoma's potent passing attack (14 catches, 283 yards and five touchdowns). Anderson's Rose Bowl status was up in the air after a fellow Oklahoma student accused him of rape. No charges were filed against Anderson.
3. LT Orlando Brown
Credit: Icon Sportswire
Credit: Icon Sportswire
Pressuring the quarterback will be key for Georgia in the Rose Bowl. Getting into the Oklahoma backfield could be a problem, especially when attacking the left side. That’s where one of the best left tackles in college football awaits. At 6-foot-8 and 345 pounds, Brown is a load to move for any pass rusher. Plus, the Peachtree Ridge High product has gotten considerably better this season at pushing speedy pass rushers beyond the pocket. Davin Bellamy and Lorenzo Carter will have their hands full with the Outland Trophy finalist (nation’s best offensive lineman) and first-team All-American. However, they should have some confidence already succeeding against a top-rated tackle. Bellamy and Carter manhandled future first-rounder Mike McGlinchey in the Notre Dame game.
4. TE Mark Andrews
Credit: Ron Jenkins
Credit: Ron Jenkins
Undoubtedly Baker Mayfield’s favorite target. The redshirt junior tight end is one of the best in the Oklahoma history and in the country. Andrews received the Mackey Award this season, given to the nation’s best tight end. He led the Sooners in receptions (58) and touchdowns (eight) and is second on the team in receiving yards (906). He has had some problems with drops this season, but that hasn’t affected his draft status much. Many NFL analysts see the 6-foot-5, 254-pound tight end as a first-round pick. It will be interesting to see how Georgia handles the first-team All-American. Andrews lines up all over the place, so Georgia’s linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties will all have a chance to stop the Sooners’ tight end.
5. WR Marquise Brown
Credit: Ron Jenkins
Credit: Ron Jenkins
Don’t let the size fool you, this is Baker Mayfield’s favorite home-run hitter. At just 5-foot-11, 162 pounds, the sophomore wide receiver has a knack for leaving cornerbacks starring at his backside. Brown leads the team in receiving yards with 981, is second in receptions (49) and ranks third in receiving touchdowns (six). His 20 yards per catch average is 15th-best in the nation among qualified pass catchers. Whichever cornerback Georgia decides to stick on Brown will need to do a good job of bumping the small wide receiver off his routes. A good pass rush will also prevent Mayfield from hitting his favorite down-field target. However, Brown tends to show up in big games. Against Oklahoma State, he caught career-high nine passes for a school-record 265 yards and two touchdowns. If that happens, it’s going to be a long day for the Bulldogs’ secondary.
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