To Stoops, One Size Fits All

First-year Arizona Coach Mike Stoops, who coached at Oklahoma for five years and coached against USC on Nov. 13, probably knows as much as anyone about both programs -- and even he can't tell them apart.

"This game is as good a matchup you can find with teams that mirror each other in a lot of ways," Stoops said.

The similarities are almost creepy, like President Lincoln having a secretary named Kennedy and Kennedy having a secretary named Lincoln.

Let's move beyond the point of both teams being 12-0 to consider:

* Both have seven-letter nicknames (Sooners and Trojans).

* Both have Heisman-winning quarterbacks -- Jason White and Matt Leinart -- who might not be the best players in their huddles. You could argue freshman tailback Adrian Peterson is Oklahoma's best player, and maybe there isn't an argument about USC tailback Reggie Bush, given that he was recently named the Trojans' most valuable player.

* Each school has an Associated Press All-American defensive lineman named Cody. Shaun (first team) plays for USC, and Dan (second team) plays for Oklahoma.

* Oklahoma averaged 36.1 points a game and gave up an average of 13.7. USC averaged 36.8 points and gave up 12.5.

* USC scored 57 touchdowns to Oklahoma's 59.

* The coaches, Pete Carroll and Bob Stoops, are defensive coordinators by trade.

Stoops has a secretary named Carol and Carroll has a secretary named Bobbie?

No, but each has won one national title, coached in one Rose Bowl and will be coaching in his second Orange Bowl.

USC outscored its opponents in the third quarter, 104-39. Oklahoma outscored its opponents, 121-34.

USC averaged 85,229 fans for six home games; Oklahoma averaged 84,532.

USC scored 441 points to Oklahoma's 433.

Each defense posted two shutouts.

This could be the first national-title game that ends with one coach calling, "Checkmate."

We asked Mike Stoops, Bob's brother, to break down the differences between the schools.

Mike reported back that he couldn't find any.

Stoops served as defensive coordinator at Oklahoma for five years before taking over in Tucson this year.

Blood being thicker than Pacific 10 Conference water, Mike promised Bob he would supply all the information he could to help Oklahoma defeat USC.

Unfortunately, what Mike reported to Bob about USC was: They're the greatest team I ever faced.

Arizona played USC tougher than that 49-9 final score posted Nov. 13 at the Coliseum, trailing by only 12 points in the third quarter before USC pulled away.

"They're as complete a football team as you can find," Stoops said of the Trojans. "And so is Oklahoma."

Leinart versus White?

"As even as it can be," Stoops said.

"No question. Both are cool, don't get rattled, have great confidence in what they're doing, great confidence in their offensive coordinators, and when they get down, they know they're going to fight back."

Running backs?

Oklahoma was vulnerable here last year, but that was before tailback Peterson became the first freshman to finish second in the Heisman Trophy balloting.

USC counters with the one-two punch of Bush and LenDale White.

Stoops gives Oklahoma's offensive line, led by Outland Trophy-winning tackle Jammal Brown, a slight advantage over USC's but only because the Sooners are more experienced.

Receivers?

Again, Oklahoma's combination of Mark Clayton and Mark Bradley is more experienced. USC starts a freshman in Dwayne Jarrett, but he isn't just any freshman.

"Don't underestimate USC's receivers, that's what I told those [Oklahoma] guys," Stoops said. "Jarrett's made great improvement throughout the year, he's got a big body and Matt likes to throw him the ball in certain situations. Jarrett, to me, is the freshman of the year. Him and Adrian Peterson. And they got Steve Smith back, so they're dangerous."

Stoops rated the defensive lines and linebacker groups even.

He said both teams had been vulnerable in the secondary. USC has undersized cornerbacks that have been, at times, exploited by taller receivers. Oklahoma boasts Travis Wilson and Brandon Jones, both 6 feet 3, and the 6-2 Bradley.

Oklahoma's defense, however, gave up 846 total yards in consecutive road victories over Oklahoma State and Texas A&M.

Granted, the Sooners were playing without standout cornerback Antonio Perkins, who has since returned from injury.

Oklahoma gave up six points in its last three games.

"Perkins is back, that's the key," Stoops said. "They were playing with two guys they hadn't played much with, and I think that threw them into a little bit of a tailspin. You lose a little confidence. It's easy to happen on the road, and it's hard to stop.