Peach Bowl Recap: LSU Tigers Torches the Sooners

There were a lot of questions surrounding how Oklahoma, the only playoff team with a loss, would fare against top-ranked LSU. Safe to say it did not go well. Joe Burrow, this year’s Heisman winner and the presumed top pick in the upcoming NFL draft, dominated an overmatched Sooners defense with 493 yards and 7 touchdowns. The game was never really close after the first quarter, and Ed Orgeron’s squad made it clear why they are ranked #1.

The game seemed promising at first, with LSU getting a stop and scoring but then allowing Oklahoma to respond with a long CeeDee Lamb reception that led to a two-yard Kennedy Brooks touchdown run. But that’s where the good for Oklahoma ended, as LSU scored two touchdowns before the quarter ended.

But it was in the second quarter that things really unraveled. In the first drive of the quarter, Oklahoma lost safety Brendan Radley-Hiles when he delivered a vicious targeting penalty to Clyde Edwards-Helaire and was ejected from the game. The Tigers responded by burning Radley-Hiles’ replacement, Woodi Washington, for a Justin Jefferson touchdown to extend their lead to 21 points. Feeling the game starting to slip away, Lincoln Riley called a trick play that resulted in an interception, allowing Burrow to drive down the field again and score despite two separate 15-yard penalties. This pushed the gap to 28 points. Oklahoma was then able to muster a touchdown, but LSU answered with yet another two and had reached a mind-boggling 49 points by halftime to Oklahoma’s 14.

Most of the second half was a mere formality, with the only question of real interest being how many points LSU would end up scoring. They drained the clock and missed a field goal, but were able to score two touchdowns before the clock hit zero.

Overall this was a tremendous accomplishment for LSU, who had never even reached the playoff before this year. They have an opportunity to go and win their first title in twelve years, potentially kicking off a changing of the guard in the SEC and the national picture. As ESPN pointed out, Joe Burrow set the bowl record for total touchdowns with eight, seven in the first half. For Oklahoma, this represents yet another disappointing playoff trip, and the question could be asked whether the Sooners will ever really get to the top after four playoff appearances in the last five years without a win.

The Tigers will meet Clemson in the National Championship on January 13th.

Stats according to ESPN.com

-By: Alex Spieldenner