White Contends He’ll Be Ready

Top-ranked USC on Wednesday continued preparations for its Orange Bowl showdown against No. 2 Oklahoma without one of the main cogs in its high-powered offense.

Sophomore tailback LenDale White jogged lightly but mostly observed because of a high right ankle sprain he sustained against UCLA on Dec. 4.

White, the Trojans’ leading rusher, is not expected to practice until next week, but he insisted that he would play Jan. 4 against the Sooners.

“I understand the value of sitting out and getting healthy, but at the same time I want to be out here,” White said after practice.

Coach Pete Carroll said White’s type of injury typically requires at least six weeks to heal. White will try to play slightly more than four weeks after he was hurt.

“We’re very fortunate we have all of this time to try and get [him] back -- we’ll see if it works out,” Carroll said. “He is very clear that he is going to be able to play, but we’ll have to wait and see how he can get going once we get to Miami.”

With White out, redshirt sophomore Desmond Reed is backing up Reggie Bush. Fullback David Kirtman also is working at tailback.

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Carroll spoke to his players about comments made by Oklahoma defensive end Larry Birdine, who Tuesday called quarterback Matt Leinart “overrated” and the Trojans “an average team.”

USC players downplayed the remarks.

“He’s entitled to his opinion,” USC defensive lineman Shaun Cody said. “We just take care of it on the field.”

Said Bush: “We don’t do our talking in the newspaper.”

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Daryl Gross, a senior associate athletic director at USC who was named athletic director at Syracuse last week, returned to Los Angeles after attending the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando, Fla., on Tuesday.

Georgia Tech routed Syracuse, 51-14, in the game, adding to speculation about the status of veteran Orange Coach Paul Pasqualoni.

“Hey Norm, you coming with me?” Gross joked as offensive coordinator Norm Chow walked by in Heritage Hall.

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Manuel Wright remains out because of a high ankle sprain, and Carroll said his status for the Orange Bowl was “questionable at best.” ... Defensive end Lawrence Jackson did not practice because of flu, Carroll said.