MIAMI -- They outweigh him by some 1,300 pounds, outman him five to one. About the only advantage Nebraska's offensive line can't claim is in trying to out-talk Miami defensive tackle Warren Sapp.
But if you listen to the 280-pound All-American considered by many to be the best defensive lineman -- and possibly the best player -- in college football, the more Cornhuskers attempt to contain him, the merrier it will be for Miami.
"I'm not concerned with anyone but the guy that's in front of me," Sapp said. "If the others want me, I'll say, 'Come join the party.' The more people on me, the less people they'll have to tackle the rest of us."
It will be the key matchup in tomorrow night's Orange Bowl between top-ranked Nebraska (12-0) and third-ranked Miami (10-1). How the Cornhuskers try to neutralize Sapp is as big a question as how the Hurricanes will prevent Nebraska's offensive line from steamrolling them as they have everyone else on the schedule.
Certainly, the odds seem to favor a group many consider the best assembled in Lincoln or anywhere. It includes two 6-foot-5, 300-pound All-Americans, guard Brenden Stai and tackle Zach Wiegert, this year's Outland Trophy winner. The line has helped the Cornhuskers average 340 yards on the ground and more than 36 points on the scoreboard, allowed only six sacks, committed just four holding penalties and kept what could have been a tumultuous quarterback situation fairly stable.
"Those guys are the key to this team," said quarterback Brook Berringer, again the backup after being displaced this week by former starter Tommie Frazier.
Since Frazier was sidelined by blood clots in his leg, Nebraska's offensive line has been the focal point. In a season when the Cornhuskers were relegated to using third-string walk-on Matt Turman for a half against Kansas State -- they were ahead 7-6 when Berringer returned, partially collapsed lung and all -- the offensive line has been the team's anchor.
A 1,475-pound anchor at that, albeit with surprising mobility.
"We just love playing together," said Stai, who usually lines up next to Wiegert on the right side. "And we've been playing together so long, each of us knows the other's strengths and weaknesses."
There has been speculation here that the Cornhuskers will shift Stai with left guard Joel Wilks in order to stop Sapp. More than likely, they will give both players a chance in order to wear down this year's Lombardi Award winner. Maybe even shut him up, too.
Earlier this week, Sapp carried on the Miami tradition of sending out some inflammatory quotes through the local media. In this case, Sapp said, "You can chalk it up," when asked if the Hurricanes would end their two-year New Year's Day losing streak and extend Nebraska's postseason slump, now at seven straight.
"He can talk all he wants," said Wiegert. "He's got to show up and play Sunday. Talk is cheap."
But Sapp certainly has backed it up. he is leading the team in sacks (10.5), fumble recoveries (four) and quarterback pressures while accounting for 84 tackles.
In a 34-20 win over Florida State that helped resurrect Miami's season, Sapp made seven tackles, with two resulting in lost yardage, had two sacks, broke up two passes and hurried quarterbacks into two bad throws. "He's a destructive force," said Florida State coach Bobby Bowden.
Said Nebraska's Stai: "If you study films of Miami, you can see that Warren's best game was against Florida State. That game made his year. But I've seen other games where he didn't play 100 percent on each down."
The same can't be said for guys such as Wiegert or Stai or for the largest player on the line, 6-5, 315-pound senior Rob Zatechka. Then there are the small guys on the line, Wilks at 6-3, 280, as well as alternating centers Aaron Graham (6-4, 280) and Bill Humphrey (6-2, 265).
Miami center K. C. Jones has caught glimpses of Nebraska's offensive line on television this season and says that Miami's top-ranked defense will be in for its biggest test of the season. "They deserve all the attention they get," Jones said.
Jones, a 6-2, 257-pound sophomore, was recruited by Nebraska and has a friend on the team. When he was introduced this week to a few of the Cornhuskers, they were shocked to hear that he played on the offensive line. "They asked me if I was a fullback," said Jones.
Depending on his mood and how many times he's been asked the question, Sapp either will say that Nebraska's offensive line is "a really good group who works really hard to get the job done" or that they're not as impressive as they appear.
"They just block like everyone else. But I've never seen a Miami team on the other side when I'm watching the tape," he added.
Sapp is more direct when somebody brings up the two-quarterback platoon. "We're still going to line up playing 4-3. I don't think the challenge is in us solving their offense. I believe the challenge is for them solving our defense."
And for quieting the latest Miami sound-bite machine, Warren Sapp.