Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has the Sooners headed to their first bowl in five years, thanks to the "fun and gun" offensive attack he brought with him from Florida in his debut season as coach in Norman. Sooner QB Josh Heupel's right arm led the way, to the tune of 3,460 passing yards and 30 TDs. Oklahoma's receiving corps is composed of six players who caught more than 20 balls, a tribute to Heupel's ability to see the whole field. In the process of airing the ball out, the Sooners did not abandon their running game, but never established a particular back throughout the season, with four players carrying the ball over 40 times. Defensively, Oklahoma yielded 22 points a contest and is led by sophomore linebacker Rocky Calmus, the team's leading tackler.

Mississippi Rebels
Contrary to Oklahoma, the Mississippi offense is predicated on a sound running game. Its attack features two explosive backs and a crafty QB. The Rebels were 15 points from an undefeated season, with their four losses to Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Alabama and Georgia averaging just 3.75 points a defeat. RBs Duce McAllister and Joe Gunn both are averaging better than five yards a carry. Early in the season, Gunn carried the load with McAllister nursing different injuries, of late McAllister has been the man, gathering a total 809 yards running the ball and 12 TDs. The passing prowess of junior QB Romaro Miller rounds out a potent Rebel offense. Miller has thrown 14 TDs against only seven interceptions, but has recently been hobbled by a severely sprained ankle. However, the ankle should be healed by game day. On defense, the success of the Rebels has relied heavily on the coverage of CB Timothy Strickland. Strickland has been capable of locking on the opposition's No. 1 receiver and taking him completely out of the game, as well as allowing his defensive cohorts to crowd the box and shut down enemy runners.

Keys to the game
1.Bob Stoops' defensive gameplan. Stoops' shrewd defensive gameplanning is what brought him to Oklahoma and it is what will keep his Sooners in the Independence Bowl. With more than 30 days to prepare, expect Stoops to have a number of different schemes and blitz packages devised to throw the Rebel offense off track.

2.Duce McAllister must maintain health during layover. Ole Miss RB Duce McAllister is regarded by many to be the hottest back in the SEC right now. In his last game, against Mississippi State, he rushed for 121 yards against a defense that had only been giving up 60 yards a game on the ground. McAllister was hampered by several injuries all season long, so it's important that he stay in shape and remain active over the course of the next month to keep former injuries from flaring up. The long "bowl layoff" can affect any player in a negative fashion, but McAllister is an more susceptible because of the up-and-down status of his health during the season.

3.Oklahoma must attack the deep third early. The Oklahoma offensive blueprint usually has Heupel throwing the ball deep sooner or later, but it will be the sooner the better against Ole Miss. The Rebels are already prepared to stop the Heupel from throwing, but that may have them neglecting the Oklahoma running game. If Heupel can go vertical on one of his first few possessions it will open up the Oklahoma running game and create a balanced attack. Balance within Oklahoma's offensive scheme will provide ample time for Heupel and allow him to use his vision to check off to second and third receivers.

War Room Edge: Mississippi Rebels
Look for McAllister and Gunn to wear down the Oklahoma defensive front. Stoops may be forced to deploy some of his run stuffing LBs to aid his front four. If Stoops commits too many men to the box, Miller will be able to pick apart a secondary that will be spread thin The pick: Ole Miss by six.

Material from The War Room. Visit their web site at http://www.nflwarroom.com