The 2017 Sugar Bowl

Here comes the 2017 Sugar Bowl.  First of all, I am happy that Auburn landed in this bowl as the second ranked team in the SEC.  Short of the top four, this is the highest bowl we could have landed. We are playing the best team we could have played.  Oklahoma is rated #7 and is a 2.5/3 point favorite.  Auburn is presented as ranked #14.  OU is supposed to have a strong offense but maybe a so-so-defense.  Sean White and Kamryn Pettway are supposed to be near 100% after fighting injuries the latter part of the season.

If our offense shows up, we may have a game to the end.  If our offense doesn't show up, we will lose by double digits.  9 and 4 sounds much better than 8-5.

We watch the Rose Bowl before our game with USC and Penn. State.  We see legendary Keith Jackson being interviewed.  He looks pretty good for an 88 year old.  USC ends up winning the game 52 to 49 with a field goal on the last play.

FIRST QUARTER

The Tigers begin the game with authority.  Winning the toss and choosing to receive, the Tigers drive 75 yards for the touchdown.  The damage is done mainly on the ground with only two complete passes in the mix.  On 4th and 1 from the 2 Chandler Cox powers around left for the score.  The offense has showed up to start the game.  The drive takes 5:56 off the clock.

Auburn 7 Oklahoma 0

The score remains until until early in the second as OU ties the game.  The Tigers let the Sooners convert a 3rd and 22 after we were offsides on the previous play.

Auburn 7  Oklahoma 7

On our ensuing possession we drive for a 49 yard field goal.  OU is clogging the middle and we can't take advantage with screens and short passes.  On one scramble it is possible that White has hurt his shoulder again.  His last two pass attempts showed evidence of a problem.

Auburn 10  Oklahoma 7

The Sooners drive again as Sean White goes to the dressing room.
On 4th and 4 from the AU 29 there is a completion to inside the 5.  They have a great quarterback,
Touchdown on the next play.  OU converts third down after third down.  Our defense can't get off the field on third downs.

Auburn 10  Oklahoma 14

If White is out we are definitely in trouble.  After that opening drive our offense looks like it's looked before in the Georgia and Alabama games.
From the 15 Auburn regains possession at their 15.
John Franklin is in the game.  White is getting his arm examined in the locker room.
The Tigers drive to the OU 39 with 1:32 left in the half.
So far Franklin is playing well.
As usually happens the drive ends with a FG with 41 seconds left.
Not a bad drive for Franklin but I doubt he can pass well enough for us to win this game.

Auburn 13  Oklahoma 14

Word comes from Ronnie Brown that Sean White is out of the game with a forearm injury.
Well, it's up to Sean Franklin III.  Should be interesting I hope.
I think we will have a new quarterback next year.

THIRD QUARTER

OU receives and drives right down the field in plays.  Our defense is inert.

Auburn 13  Oklahoma 21

With JFIII at QB we go three and out as our offense looks predictable and silly.  Either it's Pettway up the middle or Franklin keeps it.  Not threat of a pass evidently.

OU drives for a missed field goal.  Our defense gets a stop.  On 4th and 2 I thought they would have gone for it.

Our defense can't be predictable.  But Pettway carries on the first two plays to leave a third and two.
Franklin carries just short of the line to make.
We go for it on 4th and short.
But after a TO we are punting.  Shucks!  I would have gone for it.
OU fair catches at their 15 with five and a half minutes to go in the third.
That's two straight three and outs in the half.
At some point Auburn is going to have to pass but hopefully not a third and long.

Likely OU will score and secure the game on this possession.  This is the way the game usually goes.
The Sooners are at the Auburn 41 in two plays.
Our defense has been on the field too long.
We will end this season with the same old offensive woes.
OU is at the Auburn 26.
Their offense is dominating our defense because our offense can't help our defense.
OU is at the Auburn 4.
Touchdown OU.  Too easy.

Auburn 13  Oklahoma 28

This is sad.  Apparently we can't do anything on offense but run up the middle and you can't win this way the way the game is played today.  This game is not over yet but I see no hope.  Where is the offense of Gus Malzahn?
First own run.  Second down pass but not a good throw by Franklin.  Third down incompletion as Kerryon Johnson gets pushed down by the defender as holding is called on Auburn.  Third straight three and out.  Over and out.  After an opening TD drive our offense has died.  Getting White and Pettway back amounts to nothing.

Oklahoma is on their 33 as the quarter ends.

FOURTH QUARTER

First play of the quarter including a penalty and OU is at the Auburn 25.
Then to the 13.
Their offense is very diverse.  Ours is totally one-dimensional.
Then to the 3.
They make our defense look silly.
Touchdown untouched.  Icing on the cake though not needed.  A total beat-down.

Auburn 13  Oklahoma 35

White goes out.  Game over, but they would have won anyway.  I do not understand why our offense, our inability to throw the ball, is so inept.  Tonight is nothing new.  We WILL have a new quarterback next year.
Jeremy Johnson comes in throwing.  Why not?
Auburn moves to their 44.
Auburn moves to the OU 45.
First down to the OU 15.
After a short loss Johnson throws the interception into double coverage in the end zone trying to hit Tony Stevens.  It was a bad throw but Stevens didn't come back to help his quarterback.  Oh well.  I was hoping JJ would end his career directing at least one touchdown.

It all comes to quarterback woes.  You can't win without a good quarterback.  At least Auburn cannot win without a good QB.

FINAL SCORE

35 to 19 Oklahoma
The Tigers get down inside the 2 and on the final play of the a jump pass to Jalen Harris completes the scoring.