Alabama's Mike Shula knows the tenacity Oklahoma and LSU display on defense. Auburn's Tommy Tuberville knows too well the big-play potential Southern Cal and LSU have on offense.
Both coaches learned the hard way just how tough the three title contenders are, going 0-4 against them.
Top-ranked USC faces Michigan in the Rose Bowl Thursday, and Oklahoma plays LSU Jan. 4 in the Sugar Bowl.
Tuberville's Tigers opened the season as slight favorites over USC, which posted a 23-0 win.
"They were as good a team as we played all year," said Tuberville, whose team lost to LSU 31-7 on Oct. 25. "I thought when we played LSU, they were as good as we've played. They're very comparable."
Auburn and Arizona are the only teams to play both USC and LSU. Only the Crimson Tide has faced the Sooners and LSU, losing 20-13 and 27-3, respectively.
"I obviously think it's going to be a defensive battle," Shula said.
GATOR: No. 20 West Virginia arrived in Jacksonville eager for a game it was denied last season. A year ago Christmas, the Mountaineers practiced in a chill in Charlotte, N.C., miffed about being relegated to the Continental Tire Bowl while Notre Dame was at Alltel Stadium. "A lot of guys feel like we were cheated," defensive back Lance Frazier said. "We were slighted of what we really deserved. It kind of took our swagger away." WVU played uninspired ball three days later, losing to Virginia 48-22. Now, there's no question about where the Mountaineers (8-4) belong. After a 1-4 start, WVU regrouped, rebounded and eventually made reservations. On Thursday, it faces No. 23 Maryland (9-3). "We're going to a bowl that we really deserve," Frazier said.
ORANGE: No. 9 Florida State was short-handed as it opened practice at Barry University in Miami shores. Alex Barron, Lorenzo Booker, Bobby Meeks, Eric Broe, Travis Johnson and Ray Willis ran into travel delays after the holiday break. All are expected at today's workout.
FIESTA: It didn't take long for Kansas State coach Bill Snyder to start dishing out compliments. Upon the Wildcats' arrival in Phoenix, he lauded Ohio State. "They're a football team that understands how to win," he said. "They do all the right things to give themselves the best possible chance to win, and they don't beat themselves."
ROSE: Michigan practices at the Los Angeles Coliseum - Southern Cal's homefield - today. After, the Wolverines head to Anaheim to visit Disney's California Adventure.
