1-Track Minds / Trojan-Sooner BCS title matchup, finally here after season-long anticipation, may be most star-studded college football game ever

The anticipation about a possible showdown started before the season.

It heightened when the seemingly inevitable matchup was finalized last month.

And it neared a crescendo here during a week of hype and preparation.

Tonight, top-ranked USC (12-0) and No. 2 Oklahoma (12-0) finally will play in the Orange Bowl, this year’s bowl championship series title game.

The teams that started -- and held their positions -- atop the polls and BCS standings will meet at Pro Player Stadium in perhaps the most star-studded college football game in history.

Two Heisman Trophy winners, two other 2004 Heisman finalists and several future NFL first-round draft picks will be on the field taking direction from two of the sport’s top coaches in the first postseason meeting between the storied programs.

“It could play out to be an instant classic,” USC running back Reggie Bush said.

USC Coach Pete Carroll said Monday that neither he nor his players would be overcome by the hype.

“We’ve had a lot of big games,” Carroll said. “I want them to feel that we’re allowing all of the buildup to make it special, and we’ve practiced and prepared to play under the conditions that we’ll be in.

“I’m not worried about being too pumped up, or the players. The more the better for this one.”

USC hopes to duplicate its Orange Bowl success of two years ago, when the Trojans signaled their return to national prominence by defeating Iowa, 38-17, in their first BCS game appearance.

BCS computers knocked USC out of the title game last season, but the Trojans won a share of their first national championship in 25 years with a 28-14 victory over Michigan in the Rose Bowl.

Now USC has a chance to complete its first perfect regular season since 1972 and become the first school to win consecutive national titles since Nebraska in 1994 and 1995. The Trojans take a 21-game winning streak into their first BCS title game.

“We had to kind of put on the smiley face last year and pretended we were satisfied,” senior defensive tackle Shaun Cody said. “This year, we know we can be the champion.”

To win the crystal football that is awarded to the BCS champion, USC must overcome the Sooners, who are playing in their third title game in five seasons under sixth-year Coach Bob Stoops.

Oklahoma won the 2000 championship by defeating Florida State in the 2001 Orange Bowl.

Last year, Oklahoma lost to Kansas State in the Big 12 Conference championship game but still finished first in the BCS standings. The Sooners then lost to Louisiana State in the Sugar Bowl.

During the off-season, Oklahoma retooled its offense to take advantage of freshman Adrian Peterson’s size, speed and powerful running style. The Sooners shadowed USC in the polls and survived scares from Oklahoma State and Texas A&M; in consecutive weeks en route to the Big 12 title and another shot at the national championship.

“We haven’t had to answer questions the entire week on why we’re here,” Stoops said.

Both teams feature dynamic offenses, stout defenses and game-breaking kick returners.

“We have the athletes and the speed, and they have the athletes and the speed to match our guys,” USC quarterback Matt Leinart said. “The game is probably about turnovers and who can keep the ball the longest.”

Leinart won the Heisman Trophy last month in New York during a presentation that could have doubled as an Orange Bowl news conference.

Peterson, who has rushed for 1,843 yards, finished second in Heisman balloting. Sooner quarterback Jason White, the 2003 Heisman winner, finished third after passing for 33 touchdowns with six interceptions.

Bush, the Trojans’ second-leading rusher and receiver -- and also the top kick returner -- finished fifth behind Utah quarterback Alex Smith, a former teammate at La Mesa Helix High near San Diego.

Despite the glut of offensive stars, the game could be decided in the trenches or on a special teams play.

Oklahoma, playing in its 18th Orange Bowl, has an experienced offensive line regarded as perhaps the best in the nation. Tackle Jammal Brown won the Outland Trophy, center Vince Carter is an All-American and junior right guard Davin Joseph is also a key part of a unit that has cleared the way for Peterson and given up only seven sacks.

“I can’t imagine a team making it through the season with fewer sacks than that,” Carroll said. “They have great confidence in the scheme and the protection, and [White] sits back there and guns you down, so hopefully we can disrupt him and make him move some.”

Oklahoma plans to do the same to Leinart.

All-American defensive end Dan Cody said the Sooners must get USC’s offense into third-and-long situations.

“But first things first -- we have to stop the run, we have to stop the quick passing game if we’re ever going to get them there,” said Cody, who has nine of the Sooners’ 38 sacks and 15 tackles for losses.

If the game is as close as expected, USC could have an advantage in the kicking game. Senior Ryan Killeen is coming off a five-field-goal performance against UCLA. Oklahoma freshman Garrett Hartley has not attempted a field goal since taking over for Trey DiCarlo in the 11th game of the season.

Nail-biter or rout, Carroll said the Trojans would not be satisfied with merely participating in the BCS final.

“Once it’s over, you ain’t going to remember who was No. 2.... It’s down to competing time and you’ve got to go for it.

“There’s only first place right now,” he said.

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Keys to the Game

Gary Klein examines the keys to victory for USC against Oklahoma in tonight’s Orange Bowl:

1 Stop the running game. USC’s defense must control the line of scrimmage and contain Sooner running back Adrian Peterson. If Oklahoma is forced to pass, rather than choosing to do so, the Trojans can go after quarterback Jason White.

2 Establish the run. The Trojans must stay out of third-and-long situations by rushing the ball effectively. Despite a sore ankle, LenDale White must be effective along with Reggie Bush.

3 Special ending. Kicker Ryan Killeen must continue his season-ending hot streak on field-goal attempts. He also must drive the ball deep or out of the end zone on kickoffs. Tom Malone’s punts also can control Oklahoma’s field position.