The 2016 Allstate Sugar Bowl features two top-15 teams according to the College Football Playoff Committee — an explosive offense in the No. 7 Oklahoma Sooners and an all-around tough No. 14 Auburn Tigers squad.
The Sugar Bowl has been played since 1935, with Oklahoma set to make its eighth appearance (sixth-most Sugar Bowl bids by an FBS team) and Auburn heading for its sixth appearance (tied for eighth-most by a team).
Related: Full 2016 Bowl Game Schedule
Oklahoma is 5-2 all time in Sugar Bowl play, and Auburn is 2-2-1.
These two teams have basically no history between them. The 2016 Sugar Bowl will be just the second meeting of the two teams in their combined history, and the first meeting since 1972.
Oklahoma was led by a pair of Heisman Trophy candidates in 2016 on the way to a 10-2 record and Big 12 Championship. Quarterback Baker Mayfield finished third in this year's voting after throwing for 3,669 yards, 38 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also ran for six scores. His top target — wide receiver Dede Westbrook — finished fourth in the Heisman voting this year after catching 74 passes for 1,465 yards and 16 touchdowns, averaging 19.8 yards per reception.
On the ground, running backs Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine combined to total more than 2,100 yards rushing, 500 yards through the air, and score 25 total touchdowns.
Auburn struggled offensively early this season but turned things around after a 1-2 start to finish 8-4 and second in the SEC West. Quarterback Sean White threw for 1,644 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions on the season. Tony Stevens led all receivers with 29 catches for 466 yards and three scores.
On the ground, Kamryn Pettway put together a 1,000-yard campaign, totaling 1,123 yards and seven touchdowns. Kerryon Johnson rushed for 862 yards and 11 scores and John Franklin III added 414 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Oklahoma is an early 5.5 favorite in the Sugar Bowl.
More: How Far Does Each Team Have to Travel to Their Bowl Game?
Auburn Tigers vs. Oklahoma Sooners
Location: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Date/time: Monday, January 2, 2017, 8:30 p.m. ET
TV Channel: ESPN
Live Stream: Watch ESPN
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Who will win the Allstate Sugar Bowl?
