Final Word Will Be on Field

Last week, Oklahoma defensive end Larry Birdine provided some early bulletin-board fodder, saying that USC quarterback Matt Leinart was “overrated” and should not have won the Heisman Trophy.

What did his teammates think of that comment?

“I laughed,” said Jonathan Jackson, who plays along the defensive line with Birdine. “If anybody knows Larry Birdine, that’s the type of guy he is.... He’s going to say the first thing that comes to mind.”

With both teams in Miami on Tuesday, and the Jan. 4 national-championship game at the Orange Bowl a week away, Jackson had nothing but praise for the Trojans. Where Birdine saw an “average” team, Jackson said he saw great athletes.

In one respect, however, he believes that Leinart is like every other quarterback.

“If there’s a person in his face, hitting him, it’s going to make him speed up the process and try to get rid of the ball a little faster,” he said. “If you can get pressure on anybody, it’s great for the defense.”

As for Birdine’s remarks giving USC extra motivation, Jackson was not worried.

“If you can’t get pumped up for this game,” he said, “there’s something wrong with you.”

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By the time USC’s team plane landed in Miami on Tuesday evening, the Sooners already had finished their second workout here, having gone two full hours that included a 35-play scrimmage.

“We’ve been running real hard,” defensive end Dan Cody said. “It’s a nonstop deal.”

Coach Bob Stoops said he was happy with the tempo and hitting in practice. Oklahoma installed most of its game plan for USC before leaving home, so attention is being devoted to fine-tuning.

“There’s a lot of time to tweak and adjust things, which we’re still doing,” Stoops said.

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One early theory floated in Orange Bowl week: Oklahoma has the advantage over USC because it played in last year’s national-title game and USC didn’t.

Stoops isn’t buying it.

He reminded reporters that USC won the Associated Press title last year.

“They were just in the national championship a year ago,” Stoops said.

Yeah, but not the bowl championship series title game.

“Well, they got rings and trophies for it,” Stoops said. “And they’re declared the national champions. They got that and got to play in the Rose Bowl. I think they got everything they wanted, and earned it....

“No, they’ve been in a lot of big games and big situations and come through successfully too. So I would say that we have each had our share of that.”

Oklahoma quarterback Jason White agreed..

“They get a lot of hype anyway, being from where they are and being a great football school,” White said of USC. “They get a lot of media attention out there. How long have they been No. 1? They’re used to it. So I don’t think it’s any advantage.”

Last year, Oklahoma finished third in both polls but first in the final BCS rankings. Oklahoma lost to Louisiana State in the BCS title game at the Sugar Bowl.

USC defeated Michigan in the Rose Bowl and earned the AP title.

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You could rightfully label the theme of Oklahoma’s Orange Bowl stay “unfinished business,” but Stoops says that’s the theme every year after the Sooners don’t win a national title.

Oklahoma won the national title in 2000, Stoops’ second year, but didn’t last year.

“We want to win,” Stoops said. “Yes, we want to win a national championship. Another one. So, it’ll be unfinished after Jan. 4 because we’re going to try and get one again the following year. It’ll be unfinished as long as I’m here, trying to win.”