Sugar Bowl: The MVP for Each Team if They Win

Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) accepts the trophy after being named MVP of the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mississippi defeated the Oklahoma State Cowboys, 48-20. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Here we take a look at who will be the MVP for either Auburn or Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl depending on which team wins on January 2.

We are less than a week away from the Sugar Bowl matchup between Oklahoma and Auburn, so it’s time to start breaking down the matchup.

Today we are going to look at who the MVP will be for each team in the Sugar Bowl. There are certain players for each team that will need to step up in order for their team to win.

Usually these are pretty obvious, and for the most part they are offensive players.

Some of the past Sugar Bowl MVP winners include Chad Kelly, Ezekiel Elliot, Trevor Knight and Teddy Bridgewater.

Two of those guys are having successful careers in the NFL, while the other two capped off outstanding careers in college football this season.

Sometimes an MVP will come out of nowhere in a big game like this, but as you can see from recent history, the best players on your team usually make the difference.

I think that will be this case in this year’s Sugar Bowl as both teams rely heavily on one player from the offense to gel everything together.

If these two guys don’t perform for their respective teams, then they have little chance of winning the Sugar Bowl.

So as we prepare for the big game next Monday, let’s take a look at who the MVP will be for each team if they win the Sugar Bowl:

Dec 3, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws during the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma MVP: Baker Mayfield

The junior quarterback has been outstanding the past two seasons throwing for at least 3,669 yards and 36 touchdowns in those two years.

He finished fourth in the Heisman voting last year and third this year.

Mayfield threw for at least 200 yards in every game this year except for the West Virginia game, which was played in a blizzard. In six of their games he threw for over 300 yards, and against Texas Tech he threw for 545 yards.

In eight of their games this year he had a completion percentage over 70 percent, and he’s thrown at least 2 touchdown passes in every game this year.

What I’m trying to say is, the Oklahoma offense depends heavily on the success of Baker Mayfield.

In their two losses this year his RAW QBR was 61.6 and 23.4. The lowest it was in their 10 wins was 75.9, and it was 88 or higher in every other game.

The Auburn defense gave up 223.6 yards per game through the air this season, playing in a conference that is not great at passing the football.

Mayfield will be the second or third best passer the Auburn defense has seen all year behind Deshaun Watson and Chad Kelly.

Watson threw for 248 yards and a touchdown to beat Auburn, while Kelly threw for 465 yards on 59 attempts and 3 touchdowns in a loss to Auburn.

So I guess it’s possible for Mayfield to have a big day against Auburn and still lose.

However, if Oklahoma is going to win this Sugar Bowl it’s going to be because Baker Mayfield was successful throwing the football. I think if he eclipses the 300 yard mark and throws for 3 touchdowns this will be a difficult game for Auburn to win.

Oct 29, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Kamryn Pettway (36) runs the ball during the second half of the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Auburn won 40-29. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Auburn MVP: Kamryn Pettway