Georgia LB Roquan Smith has played his way into the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, recording 113 total tackles (10.5 for a loss), 5.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble so far this year.

Smith was particularly great in the SEC Championship Game against Auburn on Saturday, making 13 tackles (two for a loss), one sack and two fumble recoveries in the 28-7 victory over the Tigers that sealed Georgia’s Playoff spot.

Smith’s incredible play was the difference, as the Bulldogs avenged a 40-17 loss earlier this season. However, tougher tests await for Georgia if the Bulldogs want to advance to the national championship game.

It was announced Sunday night that Smith won the Butkus Award, given annually to the nation’s best linebacker, but that hardware won’t help him against Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield and the Sooners’ high-flying offense.

Mayfield is likely to run away with the Heisman Trophy, and the Sooners’ offense puts up 44.9 points (No. 4 in the country) and 583.3 yards (No. 1 in the country) per game. The Bulldogs will need to slow down that attack if they want to advance to the national championship game on Jan. 8.

Twice Oklahoma scored at least 38 points against TCU, which, statistically, measures up pretty well with Georgia’s defense.

TCU, which had the best defense in the Big 12, wasn’t able to make Mayfield uncomfortable. The Bulldogs’ hopes might lie on their ability to do so, and that starts with Smith. According to NCAA.com, the likely Heisman winner is the most efficient quarterback in the country, with a rating of 203.8 — significantly above No. 2 QB McKenzie Milton of UCF (184.8).

However, Mayfield isn’t the only thing that works for the Sooners’ offense. Therefore, Smith will have his hands full on New Year’s Day.

Here are two things he has to do to make sure Georgia’s defense can slow down Oklahoma’s explosive offense:

Collapse the pocket

As good as Mayfield is in all situations, no quarterback likes having to bail out of the pocket on every passing down.

Oklahoma’s line has allowed 21 sacks this year. Mayfield averaged just 28.4 passing attempts, and many of those are pre-snap designs intended to get the ball out of his hands and to open receivers quickly. If Smith can use his pass-rushing moves and if DC Mel Tucker dials up some stunts for him, he should be able to get in the backfield a few times.

In the Sooners’ only loss (against Iowa State), Mayfield was sacked twice and hurried two other times. That’s not a lot. Smith and the Georgia defense will have to get even more pressure on the likely Heisman winner.

Stop RB Rodney Anderson

It’s not just Mayfield that makes the Oklahoma offense work. The Sooners led the Big 12 in rushing offense at 215 yards per game. They ran for at least 200 in both victories over TCU — twice what the Horned Frogs allowed over the season (99.9). Sophomore RB Rodney Anderson has run for 100 or more yards in five of the Sooners’ past seven games, including once against TCU.

Anderson also has 11 total touchdowns, so he’ll likely receive a fair amount of work in the Rose Bowl.

As the Bulldogs’ leading tackler, a lot of responsibility will fall on Smith to make sure Anderson can’t break off any big runs.

Oklahoma’s schemes try to exploit one-on-one matchups in open space. Georgia will have to win more than its share.

Mayfield will make plays with his arm — that’s what elite QBs do — but if Smith and the defense can slow down Oklahoma’s running game, it’ll make things a lot tougher for Mayfield through the air.