Oklahoma football: Sooners are superior on offense, but defense will decide game against Notre Dame

“It's not a championship game or anything like that,” said Jones, OU's senior quarterback, when asked if this will be the biggest game of his career.

No, not technically, but Saturday's loser will walk off Owen Field all but eliminated from BCS title-game consideration.

Defense wins championships, the adage goes, but it also sustains any hope of winning championships. Just ask West Virginia.

There's little doubt which team — OU or Notre Dame — is superior on offense. But defense? That's not so clear, especially after the Sooners' last three showings.

Notre Dame's offense, beset by uncertainty and inconsistency at quarterback, has only eclipsed the 20-point mark twice — vs. Navy in the season opener, and against hapless Miami. But its stout defense, led by Heisman-candidate linebacker Manti Te'o, has made offensive firepower unnecessary to this point.

The Irish haven't allowed a rushing touchdown all season, evening going three straight games without surrendering any touchdown, period.

On the final two plays — third- and fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line — Oct. 13 against Stanford, Notre Dame defenders held Cardinal running back Stepfan Taylor out of the end zone to seal an overtime win.

The Irish have sacked opposing quarterbacks 19 times and forced 17 turnovers, and all of that dominance starts with Te'o. The senior has recorded 69 tackles, intercepted four passes and recovered two fumbles so far this season.

Jones has played drastically better during Oklahoma's impressive three-game win streak, but with his penchant for pressure-induced turnovers, a defense like Notre Dame's could spell trouble.