Tournament of Champions Preview-Day 4

Let the games begin! The Scout.com/WhatIfSports.com Tournament of Champions pits 16 national championship teams from 1988 through 2005 in head to head battles to determine just which team from this exciting era of college football would be the best. Here is a look at Thursday's matchups.

2005 TEXAS vs. 2000 OKLAHOMA

Led by quarterback Vince Young (rushed for 1,050 yards, passed for 3,036), Coach Mack Brown’s Texas Longhorns (13-0) won their first national championship in 36 years by beating Southern California in the Rose Bowl. Oklahoma’s 2000 team (13-0) won a national championship in Coach Bobby Stoops’ second year.

The Longhorns steamrolled one opponent after another before reaching the Rose Bowl against Southern Cal, which was going for an historic third straight national title. With Young leading the way, Texas was held below 40 points only once all season. The Longhorns averaged 50.2 points per game and 512 yards per contest.

Oklahoma won the national championship game, 13-2, over Florida State in the Orange Bowl. The Sooners rode the passing of Josh Heupel (3,606, 20 touchdowns) and a stout defense led by safeties Roy Williams (13 tackles for loss, two interceptions) and J.T. Thatcher (8 interceptions) to a surprising undefeated season that culminated with the dominating win over FSU in the national championship game.

FIRST ROUND EDGE: Texas had the horses in 2005 but most importantly, they had Young, who was unstoppable.

2003 LSU vs. 2004 USC

LSU’s 2003 national champions (13-1) capitalized on a balanced offense and a ferocious defense led by tackle Chad Lavalais and corner Corey Webster to win the Tigers’ first national championship since 1958. Quarterback Matt Mauck (2,825 yards, 28 touchdowns) wasn’t the flashiest player but made great decisions especially late in the game for Coach Nick Saban. Tailbacks Justin Vincent (1,001 yards), Joseph Addai (520 yards) and Alley Broussard (338 yards) made the running game work. LSU gave up only 252 yards per game.

Southern Cal featured a lineup that included Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart (2004) and 2005 Heisman winner Reggie Bush. Leinhart threw for 3,556 yards and 38 touchdowns while Bush had 908 yards rushing, 509 receiving yards, 537 yards on kickoff returns and 376 yards on punt returns while scoring 15 touchdowns. Dwayne Jarrett had 55 catches for 849 yards and 13 touchdowns. Southern Cal averaged 449 yards per game on offense while Shaun Cody (10 sacks) led a defense that gave up just 279.

FIRST ROUND EDGE: As good as LSU’s defense was, Southern Cal’s offense was even better and the Trojans of Coach Pete Carroll had too many weapons.

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