Key Orange Bowl Matchups

THE FRESHMEN Both offenses need big contributions from their goto rookies, but Oklahoma stands a better chance of containing wideout Dwayne Jarrett than USC does of bottling up running back Adrian Peterson, who'll be out to show the world he deserved the Heisman. Edge: Sooners

REGGIE B VS. SOONERS' D USC sophomore Reggie (the President) Bush will line up at tailback, in the slot, split wide. Mismatches happen. Just when you think you've got him stopped, he'll hurt you on a kick return. As Bush tells his mother before games, "I'm gonna get mine." Edge: El Presidente

THE BATTLE INSIDE Oklahoma's Vince Carter is a terrific center. USC's Mike Patterson is a better noseguard. Sooners quarterback Jason White will come to know what the Trojan ate for lunch. Edge: USC

THE INTANGIBLES Four years ago Oklahoma quarterback Josh Heupel was beaten out by Florida State's Chris Weinke for the Heisman, then outplayed him in the Orange Bowl to lead the Sooners to the national championship. Earlier this month, Oklahoma quarterback Jason White was beaten out by USC's Matt Leinart for the Heisman, then....

PREDICTION: Sooners by a field goal --Austin Murphy