Pro Player Stadium will play host to the BCS National Championship. There are many similarities between the Trojans and Sooners, including Heisman Trophy winning quarterbacks. Both USC's Matt Leinart and Oklahoma's Jason White have thrown for more than 2,900 yards with only six interceptions.
Both teams have running backs who have scored 15 touchdowns (USC's Reggie Bush and LenDale White and Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson). And few head coaches in college football are better at managing games and getting their players ready to play than Pete Carroll and Bob Stoops. With the Trojans and Sooners both ranked in the top 5 nationally in run defense, the pressure will be on Leinart and White to shoulder the offensive load. White has a more established receiving corps to work with, led by veterans Mark Clayton, Travis Wilson and Brandon Jones. The trio has combined for 1,788 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Leinart has an emerging young star in freshman WR Dwayne Jarrett, and a lot more versatility with Bush accounting for 478 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns. TEs Alex Holmes and Dominique Byrd have combined for another 770 yards through the air.
Key individual matchups
1. USC WR Dwayne Jarrett vs. Oklahoma CB Antonio Perkins
Jarrett is a freshman who improved throughout the season. He had his breakout game versus Arizona State, with 139 receiving yards, and has clearly developed into Leinart's favorite target at the wide receiver position. Jarrett (6-5, 195 pounds) isn't overly physical and is still growing into his frame, but he is agile and athletic.
Perkins could have his hands full in this matchup. He's an experienced senior with adequate size, but he missed four games due to a knee injury and hasn't been tested by a receiver of Jarrett's skill level since returning to the lineup. Look for the Trojans to work on Perkins early, to see if he can hold up. Because of Jarrett's significant size advantage, Leinart is certain to throw some jump balls on vertical sideline routes.
2. Oklahoma WR Mark Clayton vs. USC CB Justin Wyatt
Wyatt has emerged as USC's best cover corner, but he's still below average in man-to-man coverage situations. He doesn't have the fluidness, speed or recognition skills to be consistently left alone versus Clayton, who is one of the nation's most dynamic receivers. Clayton finished the regular season with 62 receptions for 855 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Trojans often play Wyatt off the line in order to give him a cushion, but they can't afford to give Clayton, one of college football's biggest after-the-catch threats, too much room. Look for the Sooners to target this matchup early on. If they can get White and Clayton on the same page early, it will force the Trojans to give Wyatt more safety help over the top. This will open up more room for White's other receivers and Peterson on the ground.
3. Oklahoma ROG Davin Joseph vs. USC DT Shaun CodyThis shapes up as the best individual matchup in the trenches. Joseph has enjoyed a breakout season as a junior and there are even rumblings of him leaving early for the NFL. He has a very good combination of size and quickness, and has developed into an efficient all-around blocker. Joseph will be aided by the OU's zone-blocking scheme, which allows him to block an area instead of Cody on every single down.
When these two face off, Joseph will be tested by Cody's outstanding combination of power and athletic ability. If Cody, who finished the regular season with 12 tackles for loss and nine sacks, can use his first-step quickness to consistently beat Joseph off the snap, it will make life difficult for Joseph. Cody could disrupt the timing of both Peterson in the running game and White in the passing game.
When USC has the ball
USC run offense vs. Oklahoma run defense
The Trojans' running attack is versatile. They can run between the tackles with 235-pound RB Lendale White, or they can hand the ball off to the more elusive and explosive Bush.
This matchup will largely depend on what defensive looks the Sooners come out with. Oklahoma ranks fifth nationally in run defense. The Sooners typically play an aggressive scheme that calls for a lot of eight-man fronts, with blitzing linebackers and safeties. If they stay true to coach Stoops' scheme, the Trojans won't have much room to operate. SS Donte Nicholson and FS Brodney Pool are strong versus the run. Pool actually leads the team with 85 total tackles and Nicholson is fourth with 66.
Because of their excellent tackling skills, the Sooners can cheat either safety up to the line of scrimmage, in order to generate a 4-4 look. With Lance Mitchell anchoring the middle and DEs Cody and Jonathan Jackson wreaking havoc on the perimeter, White and Bush won't find much running room. The Sooners' only weakness against the run is at defensive tackle, where they've had to break in two new starters (Lynn McGruder and Carl Pendleton) and have poor depth.
If the Sooners adjust their scheme to play more cover-2, with Nicholson and Pool playing the deep middle halves of the field, USC will need to run between the tackles. The Trojans might surprise people with their ability to gobble up yards behind massive OGs John Drake (350 pounds) and Fred Matua (310 pounds).
Advantage: Oklahoma
USC pass offense vs. Oklahoma pass defense
Cal did the best job of any defense this season of limiting Leinart in the passing game, and did so by using more zone coverage within a cover-2 principle. In doing so, it forced Leinart to make a lot of short throws, while also keeping Bush in check with five defenders (two corners and three linebackers) working the underneath zones. As a result, the Sooners might employ a more conservative defensive scheme.
If the Sooners do opt to use a more conservative scheme, it will likely limit the big plays for Leinart in the passing game. However, it will put a lot of pressure on their front four to generate its own pass rush and their front seven to hold up versus the run. If the Sooners elect to stick with their aggressive schemes, the pressure will be on Leinart to consistently beat the blitz. Oklahoma has done a terrific job of getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks with the blitz. Cody and Jackson have combined for 17 of the team's 38 sacks on the season but 14 different defenders have chipped in with at least one sack. That variety speaks to the aggressiveness of the Sooners' blitz package.
If they continue to take chances, the Sooners might be opening themselves up to a lot of mismatches. Leinart doesn't have great mobility or arm strength, but he's one of the nation's premier quarterbacks when it comes to recognizing and beating the blitz.
With Jarrett giving the Trojans a huge size advantage over Perkins on one side, and Smith back healthy at the "flanker" position, Leinart has the weapons to exploit man-coverage vertically on the perimeter. Also, Bush will become a bigger threat as a receiver, as the blitz will open up zones underneath. Finally, with Holmes and Byrd at the tight end position, Leinart has the weapons he needs to pick apart a Sooners' back seven that has had its fair share of trouble in coverage this season.
Advantage: USC
Both teams have running backs who have scored 15 touchdowns (USC's Reggie Bush and LenDale White and Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson). And few head coaches in college football are better at managing games and getting their players ready to play than Pete Carroll and Bob Stoops. With the Trojans and Sooners both ranked in the top 5 nationally in run defense, the pressure will be on Leinart and White to shoulder the offensive load. White has a more established receiving corps to work with, led by veterans Mark Clayton, Travis Wilson and Brandon Jones. The trio has combined for 1,788 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Leinart has an emerging young star in freshman WR Dwayne Jarrett, and a lot more versatility with Bush accounting for 478 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns. TEs Alex Holmes and Dominique Byrd have combined for another 770 yards through the air.
Key individual matchups
1. USC WR Dwayne Jarrett vs. Oklahoma CB Antonio Perkins
Jarrett is a freshman who improved throughout the season. He had his breakout game versus Arizona State, with 139 receiving yards, and has clearly developed into Leinart's favorite target at the wide receiver position. Jarrett (6-5, 195 pounds) isn't overly physical and is still growing into his frame, but he is agile and athletic.
Perkins could have his hands full in this matchup. He's an experienced senior with adequate size, but he missed four games due to a knee injury and hasn't been tested by a receiver of Jarrett's skill level since returning to the lineup. Look for the Trojans to work on Perkins early, to see if he can hold up. Because of Jarrett's significant size advantage, Leinart is certain to throw some jump balls on vertical sideline routes.
2. Oklahoma WR Mark Clayton vs. USC CB Justin Wyatt
Wyatt has emerged as USC's best cover corner, but he's still below average in man-to-man coverage situations. He doesn't have the fluidness, speed or recognition skills to be consistently left alone versus Clayton, who is one of the nation's most dynamic receivers. Clayton finished the regular season with 62 receptions for 855 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Trojans often play Wyatt off the line in order to give him a cushion, but they can't afford to give Clayton, one of college football's biggest after-the-catch threats, too much room. Look for the Sooners to target this matchup early on. If they can get White and Clayton on the same page early, it will force the Trojans to give Wyatt more safety help over the top. This will open up more room for White's other receivers and Peterson on the ground.
3. Oklahoma ROG Davin Joseph vs. USC DT Shaun CodyThis shapes up as the best individual matchup in the trenches. Joseph has enjoyed a breakout season as a junior and there are even rumblings of him leaving early for the NFL. He has a very good combination of size and quickness, and has developed into an efficient all-around blocker. Joseph will be aided by the OU's zone-blocking scheme, which allows him to block an area instead of Cody on every single down.
When these two face off, Joseph will be tested by Cody's outstanding combination of power and athletic ability. If Cody, who finished the regular season with 12 tackles for loss and nine sacks, can use his first-step quickness to consistently beat Joseph off the snap, it will make life difficult for Joseph. Cody could disrupt the timing of both Peterson in the running game and White in the passing game.
When USC has the ball
USC run offense vs. Oklahoma run defense
The Trojans' running attack is versatile. They can run between the tackles with 235-pound RB Lendale White, or they can hand the ball off to the more elusive and explosive Bush.
This matchup will largely depend on what defensive looks the Sooners come out with. Oklahoma ranks fifth nationally in run defense. The Sooners typically play an aggressive scheme that calls for a lot of eight-man fronts, with blitzing linebackers and safeties. If they stay true to coach Stoops' scheme, the Trojans won't have much room to operate. SS Donte Nicholson and FS Brodney Pool are strong versus the run. Pool actually leads the team with 85 total tackles and Nicholson is fourth with 66.
Because of their excellent tackling skills, the Sooners can cheat either safety up to the line of scrimmage, in order to generate a 4-4 look. With Lance Mitchell anchoring the middle and DEs Cody and Jonathan Jackson wreaking havoc on the perimeter, White and Bush won't find much running room. The Sooners' only weakness against the run is at defensive tackle, where they've had to break in two new starters (Lynn McGruder and Carl Pendleton) and have poor depth.
If the Sooners adjust their scheme to play more cover-2, with Nicholson and Pool playing the deep middle halves of the field, USC will need to run between the tackles. The Trojans might surprise people with their ability to gobble up yards behind massive OGs John Drake (350 pounds) and Fred Matua (310 pounds).
Advantage: Oklahoma
USC pass offense vs. Oklahoma pass defense
Cal did the best job of any defense this season of limiting Leinart in the passing game, and did so by using more zone coverage within a cover-2 principle. In doing so, it forced Leinart to make a lot of short throws, while also keeping Bush in check with five defenders (two corners and three linebackers) working the underneath zones. As a result, the Sooners might employ a more conservative defensive scheme.
If the Sooners do opt to use a more conservative scheme, it will likely limit the big plays for Leinart in the passing game. However, it will put a lot of pressure on their front four to generate its own pass rush and their front seven to hold up versus the run. If the Sooners elect to stick with their aggressive schemes, the pressure will be on Leinart to consistently beat the blitz. Oklahoma has done a terrific job of getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks with the blitz. Cody and Jackson have combined for 17 of the team's 38 sacks on the season but 14 different defenders have chipped in with at least one sack. That variety speaks to the aggressiveness of the Sooners' blitz package.
If they continue to take chances, the Sooners might be opening themselves up to a lot of mismatches. Leinart doesn't have great mobility or arm strength, but he's one of the nation's premier quarterbacks when it comes to recognizing and beating the blitz.
With Jarrett giving the Trojans a huge size advantage over Perkins on one side, and Smith back healthy at the "flanker" position, Leinart has the weapons to exploit man-coverage vertically on the perimeter. Also, Bush will become a bigger threat as a receiver, as the blitz will open up zones underneath. Finally, with Holmes and Byrd at the tight end position, Leinart has the weapons he needs to pick apart a Sooners' back seven that has had its fair share of trouble in coverage this season.
Advantage: USC
