Fiesta notebook

With sophomore defensive tackle DeMarcus Granger suspended for the Fiesta Bowl, the Sooners will need another defensive tackle to step up.

Unlike at cornerback where the Sooners have little experienced depth, both of OU's backup defensive tackles actually have a wealth of starting experience.

Last year, junior Cory Bennett (6-foot-2, 278 pounds) started in 12 games. He also started in two games this season.

Senior Steven Coleman (6-4, 299) started in seven games last season and one earlier this year.

Redshirt freshman Adrian Taylor (6-4, 293) should also factor into the Fiesta Bowl rotation,

"I still feel good about the rotation,” Coleman said. "Everybody's gotten the same amount of reps. We should be all right.”

•Tulsa connection: West Virginia's 3-3-5 defensive scheme tends to give offenses problems because few defenses use it in college football.

But OU has seen a similar scheme earlier in the season against Tulsa, which uses the same base defense.

WVU defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel and Tulsa coach Todd Graham were hired by former Mountaineer coach Rich Rodriguez in 2001.

Graham left Morgantown to become defensive coordinator at Tulsa in 2003 and brought with him the same defense. Tulsa has been in the 3-3-5 ever since.

Because OU has experience against the 3-3-5, Casteel views that as a disadvantage for the Mountaineers.

"They have a film to show their kids of it,” Casteel said. "But really, it comes down to having good players making plays.”

•Pressure, pressure: OU quarterback Sam Bradford was at the Fiesta Bowl last season. But as a redshirting freshman with virtually no chance to play, Bradford's trip was much different.

"Wasn't much pressure,” Bradford said. "Just come out here and have a good time. This is a lot different.”

•Going to the chapel? A year ago, Fiesta Bowl hero Ian Johnson of Boise State celebrated the winning touchdown by immediately proposing to his cheerleader girlfriend. Would a winning TD prompt WVU quarterback Pat White to propose on the field?

"No, no, no, no,” White said. "I'm single. I've got about 10 years before I think about getting married.”

By Jake Trotter and Berry Tramel