2018 Orange Bowl: Alabama (13-0) vs. Oklahoma (12-1)

How They Got Here: Alabama

It was just another year of Alabama domination in 2018, as they steamrolled through their schedule, ending the year at a dominant 13-0 record. including a dominant 29-0 victory against the LSU Tigers in a game where the Tigers had high hopes, and a 35-28 win over the Georgia Bulldogs to end the regular season, which all but ended the Bulldogs chances at a National Championship. Alabama was led by Heisman hopeful Tua Tagovailoa, who threw for 3353 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, and just 4 interceptions in 2018.

How They Got Here: Oklahoma

Oklahoma had a dominant year, finishing 12-1 and sneaking in to the fourth spot in the college football playoff. They had a signature win against playoff hopeful West Virginia, beating them in a shootout 59-56, as well as topping Texas in the Big 12 Championship game 39-27. The Sooners were led by dual sport quarterback Kyler Murray, who has already been drafted in the first round by the Oakland Athletics in last years MLB Draft. Murray finished the year with 4053 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions, but Murray wasn’t just a threat with his arm, as he also rushed for 892 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. Murray will be the X-factor in a game where he will try to match the Alabama offense.

Keys to The Game: Alabama

The biggest key to the game for Alabama is obvious: Is Tua Tagovailoa healthy, if he is, I expect this Alabama offense to run all over the Sooners. The Alabama offense has been as dominant as it has ever been in 2018, and with Tua healthy, they have to be salivating over the Sooners defense, who is ranked No. 100 in yards per play nationally. Alabama fans know all too well that Jalen Hurts is all but consistent, and they will have their fingers crossed that Tua is able to lace it up tonight and play at full strength.

Keys to The Game: Oklahoma

The key to the game for Oklahoma is clearly their defense, because we know the Sooners will show up on offense. Oklahoma’s defense is ranked No. 100 in yards per play, and that simply will not cut it against the Alabama offense with a healthy Tua Tagovailoa. Okalahoma’s defense allowed an average of 448 yards per game in 2018, and Alabama may be one of the toughest offenses they have played to date, which would lead you to believe that that number won’t go down after tonight. If the Sooners have any chance to advance to the National Championship game, they desperately need their defense to step up tonight.

Betting Lines:

The over/under is currently 81 points, with Alabama favored by a lofty 14 points.

My Prediction:

Assuming Tua Tagovailoa is at 100 percent tonight, I don’t see Alabama having many problems tonight, even with the Kyler Murray lead offense on the other side. I think Alabama will control the game tonight with a 42-31 victory over the Sooners to advance to yet another National Championship.