Sugar Bowl: Auburn’s Secret Weapon for Oklahoma

One of Jackson’s offensive linemen on Auburn’s first Sugar Bowl victor, in 1984, was Auburn Director of Athletics Jay Jacobs, who hosted Sunday’s reunion. So I mean, those three things tell you why they have done what they have done defensively. The strength of the offense comes from its rushing attack, which was sixth in the nation at 278.5 yards per game.

Offense: Oklahoma. If Auburn was healthy, this would be harder to decide. Look for more of the over-the-middle passes from White. “If we get this W, who knows what we can accomplish next year?” How he plays is pretty much going to determine how the offense works. The bellcow will still be Pettway, though.

“We rode on Pat Sullivan’s shoulders all the way down here”, said Terry Henley, a running back on Auburn’s 1972 Sugar Bowl team, which lost 40-22 to the Sooners.

Deshaun Davis at linebacker. Urban Meyer rated their defense worse than Indiana’s. Got to. If he starts launching throws to Westbrook and putting up points in a hurry, the Auburn offense just isn’t equipped to keep up. Davis took the spot during the Clemson game and never let go. When two backs rush for 100 yard, Auburn is 10-0.

“A lot of people could focus on the pass game and what Dede Westbrook is going to do and things like that, when all Oklahoma really wants to do is just pound it down your throat”, Williams said. “It was nice to be in that predicament, being able to choose if I leave or stay”.

The pressure on the Sooners defense starts up front with lineman Obo Okoronkwo, who leads the defense with nine sacks on the season, including two against Oklahoma State.

Texas Tech athletic director and College Football Playoff committee chair Kirby Hocutt made it clear that defense was one of the main reasons for the Sooners finishing seventh in the final rankings this year. It might even become the matchup to watch in this game.

I would like for someone like freshmen Kyle Davis or Darius Slayton. He has the moves and speed to create more yards after the catch. I don’t think it’s a blowout, and honestly I feel like this is a coin-flip game. Now he’s using one. They can run the same play four times in a row out of the different formations and still gash you. “You can’t lose your eyes, and you have to be disciplined at all times“. The only real blemish on Stoops’ coaching resume? But what is he like before the game when it is just him and his teammates?

Now that’s a tough one. “So we have won a lot of football games already”. The last time all of these players were healthy were the first half of the Mississippi State game on October 8, so Auburn is expected to look like a completely different offense from the struggles of the final month against Georgia and Alabama.

I’m going to go with Toomer’s Corner, though. There’s the drunk frat boys and sorority girls. It will obviously be a huge key, it is every week for us, and especially against a group like this that is going to test you. The fact that this team is in the New Year’s Six at all is baffling.

“We’ve addressed it and (explained) what our intentions were”, Stoops said. So, I think if Auburn can contain him a bit they’ll be in better shape. “He loves it, and as long as he’s having a blast, so am I!” said Jones, an OU fan. It’s not anything that we haven’t seen. His quarterback also was a finalist, as the Oklahoma Sooners put together one of the more prolific offenses in the country. If OU gets so concerned about Auburn’s run game, White and the Tigers should see man-coverage and should be able to capitalize on some major opportunities through the air.

SB: “Kind of touching on what I said earlier, White’s M.O. isn’t winning the game by himself”.