ATLANTA — The Peach Bowl scoreboard had yet to short-circuit from so many LSU points. The Sooners trailed by only seven. I know, I know; seems like a long time ago.
But even then, late first quarter Saturday, this national semifinal felt squishy. Things coming easy for the Tigers. Nothing easy for Oklahoma. Honestly, this Peach Bowl felt like the Southern Cal Orange Bowl, even at 14-7.
And soon enough arrived empirical evidence. LSU quarterback Joe Burrow was running for his life, which happened rarely on a night the Sooner lights went out in Georgia.
But OU’s Kenneth Murray chased Burrow from the pocket, and fellow linebacker David Ugwoegbu made Burrow flee for the sideline, where he cocked his arm to toss the ball, apparently into the seats.