Canes would have been favored by roughly 7.
One thing to remember: Oklahoma had excellent pass defense that year. Somehow that was overlooked heading into the Orange Bowl. I believe they led the nation in yards per pass attempt allowed. If not, it was in the top handful. That statistical category is always vital in isolating legit teams or pointing out fraudulent teams. In Oklahoma's subsequent title game opportunities in 2003, 2004 and 2008 their pass defense was far down the list, often in the 6.5 yards per attempt range. Those were vulnerable teams, easily exposed. The 2008 BCS snubbing of USC is still one of the all time abominations. USC allowed only 4.7 yards per attempt that season, with no games at 7 or above during the regular season. The 4.7 was a record in recent decades until Alabama clipped it last season, allowing 4.6 during the regular season.
BTW, the Canes hinted at legitimacy in 1983 by leading the nation in yards per attempt allowed. Granted, we weren't playing a passing team in the Orange Bowl but that stat correlates to aggressiveness by defensive backs in general. Sure enough, we rotated forward and wiped out Nebraska option plays many times near the line of scrimmage. I was comforted by some of the same tendencies in the spring game this year. We've been overly passive defending the short pass in recent years.
Anyway, Canes defeat Oklahoma in 2000 but not as decisively as many would suggest. A replay of 1987 sounds logical, something like 20-14.
