BCS title game a classic with all the trimmings

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Southern California’s Matt Leinart, winner of the 2004 Heisman Trophy, vs. Oklahoma’s Jason White, the 2003 Heisman winner.

USC’s Reggie Bush, the No. 1 all-purpose runner in the nation who finished fifth in the Heisman race this year, vs. Oklahoma’s Adrian Peterson, a gifted freshman who finished second in the Heisman race and probably is the most dominant tailback in America.

USC’s Pete Carroll vs. Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops, two of the pre-eminent coaches in college football.

Top-ranked USC vs. No. 2 Oklahoma, winners of a combined 17 national titles, both unbeaten entering the Bowl Championship Series national title game at Pro Player Stadium.

The Orange Bowl, set for 5 PST, has been scrutinized and analyzed for the last month, since the final BCS rankings were announced. But this game, unlike some previous BCS title games, seems to possess a star power worthy of spotlights and red carpets.

“I think this could be one of the better matchups in the last 15 or 20 years of college football, to be quite honest,” Oklahoma offensive coordinator Chuck Long said. “Oklahoma has been a national name the last four years. … This is our third national championship game in five years.

“You also have the 2003 Heisman Trophy winner vs. the 2004 Heisman Trophy winner. … You add all of that together and it adds up to be a big, big game.”

But can it match the pregame hype?

“Hopefully, the buildup will be matched by the play,” said Carroll, whose team won a share of the national title last season and has won 21 consecutive games. “We can’t wait to get this thing started.”

The Orange Bowl will mark the first time two Heisman winners will meet with a national title on the line.

Leinart, an All-American at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif., who was recruited heavily by Oklahoma, is No. 9 nationally in passing efficiency. Despite working with a revamped receiving corps, the junior has completed 66.6 percent of his passes for 2,990 yards with 28 touchdowns and only six interceptions.

“The decision-making of Matt Leinart, it’s second-to-none,” Oklahoma co-defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “His accuracy, his poise, the way he distributes the football, just his overall decision-making is exceptional.”

White, a sixth-year senior, passed for 3,846 yards with 40 touchdowns and 10 interceptions when he won the Heisman last season. With the emergence of Peterson this season, White has passed for 2,961 yards with 33 touchdowns and just six interceptions. His completion rate is up to 65.3 percent from 61.6 percent last season.

“I don’t think there’s any question that he has had a better year,” Stoops said. “You look at his production and efficiency. I think it has been, though it was incredible a year ago, as good.”

Bush, voted USC’s team most valuable player, has generated 2,181 all-purpose yards for a mark of 181.8 per game, the No. 4 mark in the nation. He has gained 833 yards rushing, 501 on kickoff returns, 478 receiving and 369 on punt returns. He has scored 15 touchdowns: seven receiving, six rushing and two on punts.

“Reggie Bush is probably the single most talented player that we’ve faced,” Venables said.

Peterson rushed for 1,860 yards and 15 touchdowns and is the most dominant freshman runner since Ron Dayne rushed for 2,109 yards and 21 touchdowns in 1996 for Wisconsin.

Peterson set NCAA freshman rushing records for attempts (314), consecutive 100-yard games (nine) and total 100-yard games (11) and helped transform a team that lived on finesse and passing into a team willing to run over its foes.

“Adrian has great speed,” Carroll said. “He has terrific strength and size for a guy that fast and he just slashes and it’s very hard to bring him down.

“He’s not easily knocked off his feet, runs through tackles, has real long legs and steps out of tackles extremely well and then has the great burst to finish.”

USC’s defense, No. 2 nationally in points allowed (12.5 per game), will be tested by Peterson, White and a stable of talented receivers.

Oklahoma’s defense, No. 5 nationally in points allowed (13.7 per game), will be tested by Bush, Leinart and a young but dynamic group of receivers.

“We all want to see what’s going to happen, myself included, and we look forward to it with great anticipation,” Carroll said.