Tigers faceoff against Sooners in Sugar Bowl

NEW ORLEANS — Oklahoma is not in the College Football Playoff because of two losses that happened in September.

Those setbacks were more than three months ago. These days, the Sooners could pass for one of the nation’s best teams.

Seventh-ranked Oklahoma enters today’s Sugar Bowl against No. 17 Auburn on a nine-game winning streak that includes an undefeated run through the Big 12. The Sooners (10-2) have one of the nation’s best offenses, scoring at least 34 points in all nine conference victories.

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn doesn’t see many weaknesses.

“They’re very good at running the football,” Malzahn said. “They’re very good at throwing the football. The challenge is making them one dimensional.”

Auburn appears better equipped than most to give Oklahoma’s offense some problems. The Tigers’ defense — led by defensive linemen Carl Lawson and Montravius Adams — was one of the best in the country and allowed the program to exceed what were initially modest expectations for the season.

Lawson and Adams have combined for 21 tackles for a loss this season. They’ll try to make life difficult for Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has thrown for 3,669 yards, 38 touchdowns and eight interceptions while completing more than 71 percent of his passes.

Auburn (8-4) struggled at the beginning and end of the regular season, but put a six-game winning streak in the middle of the schedule allowed it to make it to the Sugar Bowl. The defense is giving up just 15.6 points per game.

“Their front line really sets the tone for their whole defense,” Mayfield said. “They allow their secondary and linebackers to play aggressively because they know they don’t have to cover people that long because of the talent up front.”