College Football Playoffs: Can UGA Win It All?

ATLANTA, GA — Two days after the Georgia Bulldogs won their first SEC Championship in 12 years, and a day after they were seeded No. 3 in the College Football Playoffs, Bulldog Nation was wondering one thing Monday — can we win it all?

To get to the National Championship Game on Jan. 8 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the 12-1 Bulldogs will first have to get past No. 2 Oklahoma in a New Year's Day matchup in the Rose Bowl. The Sooners, by that point, are likely to be boasting a Heisman Trophy winner in quarterback Baker Mayfield.

But as analysts began turning their eyes to the matchup in Pasadena, California, many were predicting a razor-thin margin between the two squads.

With four weeks to go until game time, Las Vegas was giving the Sooners a slight edge as of Monday morning. Oklahoma was a 1.5-point favorite over the Bulldogs Monday, according to Oddsshark.com.

Sports Illustrated's Eric Single calls the Rose Bowl matchup between Georgia and Oklahoma "an unorthodox matchup that nevertheless has all the makings of a Rose Bowl classic."

He says the game will feature the best offensive player in the nation, Mayfield, and the best defensive player in the country in UGA linebacker Roquan Smith.

"Few linebackers have the sideline-to-sideline speed to give Mayfield something to think about as he moves the pocket and darts around the field," single writes, "but Smith has it in spades."

But his "way-too-early" prediction gives the Sooners the edge.

"With little to separate either team four weeks out from the opening kick, it’s tough to go against the player just days away from winning the Heisman Trophy," Single wrote. "If Oklahoma’s defense can find a big play or two, the pressure could mount quickly on (UGA quarterback Jake) Fromm and the Georgia offense to get points out of nearly every drive, putting the Sooners in control."

Joseph Zucker of Bleacher Report agrees that it should be a close contest, but gives the Bulldogs the edge.

"The oddsmakers have the Sugar Bowl as the closer of the two semifinals; the Rose Bowl is arguably more of a toss-up, though," he wrote. "Georgia and Oklahoma are evenly matched, and their contrasting styles make the game even harder to predict. The Bulldogs are the better defensive team, which gives them the slight edge."

At ESPN, Adam Rittenberg predicts the Sooners to win, again citing Mayfield's leadership on the field.

"The Georgia defensive front seven facing Oklahoma's offensive line will be a treat to watch, and UGA QB Jake Fromm should have some opportunities against the Sooners' defense," he writes. "But it's hard to go against Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield on this stage."

Rittenberg predicts Clemson will defeat Oklahoma in the Jan. 8 National Championship Game.

At the AJC, sports writer Jeff Schultz is sticking with the home team in the Rose Bowl, though.

"I like the matchup against Oklahoma because even though quarterback Baker Mayfield is the best player in the nation, Georgia matches up well physically and can control the game with its rushing attack," Schultz wrote. "We’ll have plenty of time to break down the game but I like Georgia’s chances to win and advance to the championship game against either Clemson or Alabama."

It's a long way to game day and a lot could change between now and then. Patch will be keeping an eye on developments as the Bulldogs go for it all.

Photo via GeorgiaDogs.com