An undefeated run through the Big 12 earned the Oklahoma Sooners an invite to the 83rd Sugar Bowl.As for the Auburn Tigers, well, theyre off to New Orleans after the College Football Playoff committee decided the program was the best option out of a jumbled mess in the Southeastern Conference.The two teams will meet in the Superdome on Jan. 2.The No. 7 Sooners (10-2, 9-0 Big 12, No. 7 College Football Playoff) finished off a perfect trek through conference play on Saturday with a 38-20 victory over Oklahoma State. Oklahoma lost two of three to start the season, but ended the season on a nine-game winning streak.The Sugar Bowl is a step down for Oklahoma from last season, when the Sooners made the CFP semifinals before losing to Clemson. But coach Bob Stoops didnt expect any sort of letdown.No concerns, Stoops said. At the end of the day its a great bowl game and were playing an excellent football team. Weve just got to be in a position to play the best we can.No. 17 Auburn (8-4, 5-3 SEC, No. 14 CFP) emerged from a pile of options to be the second-highest ranked team in the SEC in the final CFP poll behind top-ranked Alabama. Florida and LSU were also candidates for the Sugar Bowl spot, but finished just behind the Tigers at No. 17 and No. 20, respectively.Auburns eager to prove the CFP committee got it right.Well definitely be motivated, Auburn coach Gus Malzhan said. Were playing one of the top teams in the country.The Oklahoma-Auburn matchup is a rare one: Its only the second time the two schools have faced each other. The Sooners beat the Tigers 40-22 in the 1972 Sugar Bowl.Some of Oklahomas players have played in the Sugar Bowl already: The Sooners beat Alabama 45-31 three years ago in New Orleans.The Sooners are led by quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has thrown for 3,669 yards, 38 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Running back Joe Mixon has run for 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns while top receiver Dede Westbrook has 1,465 yards receiving and 16 touchdowns.Youre talking about a big-time offense to go with a very good defense, Malzahn said. We have a lot of respect for them.Auburn is led by a running game that features Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson. The two have both had good moments this season and combined for nearly 2,000 yards rushing, but both have also battled injuries this season.Here are some things to watch in this years Sugar Bowl:SURGING SOONERS: Oklahoma had a rough start to the season, losing games against Houston and Ohio State during September. But the Sooners regrouped quickly thanks to a stellar offense that scored 34 points or more in all nine of its Big 12 games.SAGGING TIGERS: Auburn has had an up-and-down season. The Tigers lost two of three early, but then rallied with a six-game winning streak to jump back into contention in the SECs Western Division. Auburn couldnt capitalize on the momentum, losing to Georgia and Alabama during the final three weeks of the regular season.NEEDING WHITE: Auburn quarterback Sean Whites health (shoulder) was a concern during the final month of the regular season and the Tigers offense struggled whenever backups Jeremy Johnson or John Franklin III played. White didnt play against Alabama in the Iron Bowl but the Tigers hope hell be fully healthy for the Sugar Bowl. Malzahn said on Sunday he feels the team will be close to 100 percent for the matchup against Oklahoma.OKLAHOMAS DEFENSE: The Sooners offense gets most of the press, and rightfully so, but the defense has been pretty good over the last half of the season. Oklahoma held six of its last seven opponents under 28 points.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 . Walter Brown Celtics Jersey .ca! 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ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Braves will be pleased to see Julio Teheran taking the mound on Saturday night.After the teams No. 1 starter had to leave his most recent start after four innings, it was feared the right-hander might be headed to the disabled list.But the tight muscle in his back that shortened his last appearance turned out to be less serious than believed and Teheran returns to the rotation against the Phillies when the Braves try to win for the fourth time in five games.Saturdays game features Teheran (3-8, 2.71) against Philadelphia right-hander Jeremy Hellickson (7-7 3.65), who has been the subject of trade rumors over the last few weeks.Teherans last start was on July 22 at Colorado when he left after throwing four shutout innings. Teheran tweaked his back muscle and was planning to play through the injury, but shortstop Erick Aybar approached his teammate and encouraged him to call the trainer to the mound.At first the team feared the injury was serious enough to send Teheran to the DL. Instead the team was able to give Teheran a couple of extra days off without losing him for two weeks.He felt a little better (Tuesday), just flat-ground throwing a little bit, more confident in turning everything loose, Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. I think its a good idea to take advantage of it.The timing may be good, as Teheran has pitched well in his career against the Phillies. He is 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA in four starts against the Phillies this season and is 6-3 with a 2.29 in 12 career appearances against Philadelphia.Hellickson has allowed two or fewer runs in five of his last six starts. He threw siix shutout innings, giving up only one hit, in receiving a no-decision the Miami Marlins on July 25.dddddddddddd The Phillies, who acquired him during the offseason from the Arizona Diamondbacks, have fielded plenty of calls from other teams who are looking for a pitcher before the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline. But Phillies are reportedly demanding top prospects in return.I guess Im anxious just to get it over with, Hellickson said. My focus is here and on my next start.Hellickson has made one career start against Atlanta and it occurred this season. He received a no-decision on July 7 after allowing two runs in six innings.Hellickson will be pitching after Vince Velasquez allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings. Velasquezs name has been mentioned in trade rumors along with HellicksonsThe Braves havent announced who their starter will be for Sunday afternoon. They recalled right-hander Ryan Weber and could use him or dip into Triple-A Gwinnett for another player, possibly Aaron Blair or Casey Kelly. Another option is Joel De La Cruz, who has made two starts for the Braves, but has worked out of the bullpen since early July.Were not 100 percent sure yet, Snitker said. Well keep grinding away and something will rear its head and be the right thing to do.The Braves did enough things right to snap a five-game losing streak to the Phillies with Fridays 2-1 win. Nick Markakis went 3-for-3 and Tyrell Jenkins allowed an unearned run in six innings for his major league victory. ' ' '