PASADENA, Calif.-- Since the national title game is still a day or so away, let's talk about something almost as relevant: next year's national title game.

Obviously, you could make a strong case for Miami (the 'Canes don't seem to have much trouble replacing a half-dozen first-rounders every year) or you could make a case for Ohio State (the entire Buckeye offense is back.) But the team with the most realistic shot of playing for the title in the Sugar Bowl was on display Wednesday, bullying the Washington State Cougars.

That was Oklahoma, making Wazzu stud QB Jason Gesser look ordinary, and often, lost, and at times even helpless. The Sooners then cranked up the pressure in the second half by blitzing linebackers and safeties and had Gesser, already nursing a high ankle sprain, hobbling for his life. Gesser was 3-for-13 for 81 yards and an INT in the first half while OU took a 17-0 lead en route to a 34-14 romp.

"We knew we were going to be more physical," says safety Brandon Everage. "And we had a great game plan to shut down Gesser."

Just as in the case of OU's national title run three years ago, everything with the Sooners starts with their defense. And anyone doubting coach Bob Stoops' faith in that unit only needed to tune in at the start of the second quarter when he went for it on a fourth-and-one at his own 35.

Even with the Sooners' best player, nose tackle Tommie Harris (who'll be back next year) playing at only about 60 percent (as he has been most of the season due to a groin injury), Oklahoma's D-line dominated from the first play from scrimmage. Ends Jonathan Jackson and Jimmy Wilkerson (both coming back) had Gesser on his back foot all day, while linebackers Teddy Lehman and Lance Mitchell (also coming back) chased down anything that got loose underneath. And all but one of the DBs are coming back too.

Credit Sooners coaches for creating a scheme to bottle up Gesser. The new wrinkle was to cut loose OU's speedy rush ends, Jackson and Wilkerson, having them burst upfield.

"We just told 'em, 'jump ball, get upfield and attack," said Bobby Jack Wright, Oklahoma's DE coach. "Gesser's such a talented guy, we told (our ends) just react to the run on the way to the quarterback."

Despite Nate Hybl's passing exploits, Jackson made a strong case for MVP honors, with two sacks and three tackles for losses.

"This was his best game and hopefully he uses this as a leaping board toward next season," Oklahoma co-defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. "He played like a guy who is 6-3, 240 pounds and can run a 4.5. He really played with a go-for-broke attitude and we're really excited about him."

Jackson says he enjoyed the change in attitude. "It made a big difference."

"I could tell he loved it," Harris said. "Every time he came off the field he had a huge smile on his face."

The postgame talk among some Sooner coaches and players is that Wednesday's win will be a springboard for a team that OU coaches privately thought was probably a year away. And now, that year is right in front of them.

"This puts a big stamp on the season," Wright said. "It says, 'Here's what we're gonna be like next year,' and it keeps our guys fired up and gives us that momentum."

Going into 2003, the biggest question facing OU will be at quarterback. Hybl, for all the criticism he took, was solid and tough and smart. His 24-8 TD-INT ratio bears that out, as does Oklahoma's 45 percent conversion rate on third down.

Against Wazzu, Hybl was sharp, dodging rushers, scrambling for first downs and connecting with his second and third options.

The Sooners' deciding drive, a five-play, 65-yard masterpiece that started with three minutes left in the first half; was all Hybl. He hit on a deep out for 30, found backup TE James Moses on a crossing route for 19 yards and punctuated it with drop-in-bucket connection on a fade route to Antwone Savage from the 12. After that drive, the Sooners never were challenged.

That drive, which took under two minutes, showed any remaining skeptical Soooner fans that replacing Hybl and his leadership won't be easy.

Jason White, the projected starting QB this year, is reportedly coming along well in his recovery from a knee injury. But he will get pushed by true freshman Paul Thompson, a smooth, polished Texas who has Sooners offensive coordinator Chuck Long excited. The wild card in the mix is strong-armed redshirt Brent Rawls, who seems to have everything Hybl lacks, but also lacks everything Hybl had.

Of course, the Sooners will have some other holes to fill. Finding a new tailback to step in for elusive Quentin Griffin will be a challenge, as will be finding a new go-to receiver since standout tight end Trent Smith is also gone. On defense, Andre Woolfolk, a lock first-round corner, is moving on.

But there is one other Sooner who also might be headed to the NFL, and this is where things could get interesting. Head coach Bob Stoops could be headed to the NFL as the Jacksonville Jaguars' new top cat.

Stoops took steps to quiet the rumor-mongers after the game; he was probably too busy savor this rout and looking forward to a very exciting 2003.

Bruce Feldman covers college football for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at bruce.feldman@espnmag.com.