Rose Bowl 2018: Schedule, Top Storylines to Follow in Georgia vs. Oklahoma

Baker Mayfield has his Heisman Trophy and the Oklahoma Sooners have made it to the College Football Playoffs.

That would be satisfying for most players, but Mayfield and his teammates want much more. They are looking forward to playing the Georgia Bulldogs in the Rose Bowl January 1 so they can play in the national championship in Atlanta one week later.

There are several storylines to follow in this college football semifinal, and the first one is whether the tough, athletic and determined Georgia defense handle Mayfield.

The question is not whether the Bulldogs will stop Mayfield, because that does not appear to be a realistic option. Rather, how will the Bulldogs be able to get Mayfield out of his rhythm and limit the number of touchdowns the Sooners will score?

Oklahoma comes into this game having scored 584 points in 13 games, and that means this attack has basically been on fire all season.

Mayfield has triggered an offense that averaged 44.9 points during the regular season. The quarterback's numbers have been other worldly, as he has completed 262 of 369 passes for 4,340 with 41 touchdowns and five interceptions.

More than the numbers, Mayfield has shown that he can keep plays alive while he gets away from the rush as he waits for his receivers to get open.

Mark Andrews and Marquise Brown are Mayfield's best receivers. Andrews has caught 58 passes for 906 yards and eight touchdowns, while Brown has caught 49 passes for 981 yards and six touchdowns.

David Goldman/Associated Press

If the Georgia defense is going to slow down the Oklahoma attack, linebacker Roquan Smith is certain to play a huge role. Smith is Georgia's leading tackler with 113 stops, and he also has 10.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and 5.5 sacks.

In addition to those numbers, Smith has 17 quarterback pressures and two passes broken up. When Smith gets his pass rush going, he basically lives in the opponent's backfield, and he is capable of ruining any game plan.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said he is trying to ratchet up the intensity as the team prepares for Oklahoma.

"We are using every resource we have to make sure that they take advantage of this opportunity," Smart said, per DawgNation of AJC.com. "We are challenging them each day."

If Oklahoma is going to stay in this game, it must have a productive offensive game, and that means that the running game must gash Oklahoma.

The Bulldogs have two game-changing running backs in Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, and a third option in D'Andre Swift, who would likely be the No. 1 running back for a number of high-profile teams.

Chubb is a powerful back who has 1,175 yards and 13 touchdowns, while Michel is a more versatile runner who combines power and speed. He has 948 rushing yards and has also scored 13 times.

Swift is an aptly named back who has gained 597 yards and three touchdowns.

John Bazemore/Associated Press

As strong as the Bulldogs are at the running back slot, they are also going to need plays from freshman quarterback Jake Fromm, who has thrown 21 scoring passes and just five interceptions.

Georgia should be able to move the ball fairly well against Oklahoma. The Sooners had five games this season in which they gave up 30 points or more, and while they showed some improvement towards the end of the year, they appear vulnerable in this area.

The Rose Bowl looks like it will be a high-scoring and entertaining game between two teams that have a bit to prove.

The Sooners want to show that there is more to their team than Mayfield's passing game, while the Bulldogs want to prove just how well their defense can play in the biggest game of the year.

The team that can come up with one or two key stops in the fourth quarter has the best chance to win the game.