While many in Norman will be eagerly watching the game tonight, OU students perhaps have the highest stakes in it.

Chase Velharticky, a junior majoring in Russian, couldn't afford to go to the game, but said many OU students did take the trip out there.

"A lot of kids in my classes are going to it, a lot of my friends are, I guess, actually in Miami," he said Wednesday.

Velharticky said he'll watch the game with his family in Elk City, but the level of enjoyment will depend on how well the Sooners play.

If they win, his whole family of OU fans will glory in it.

"It'll probably be the happiest at my house that it's been since the last time they won," Velharticky said.

But the celebration is contingent on a Sooner victory, he said.

"I'm going to expect them to win, but if they choke up I probably won't come out of my room for a few days."

Julianna Parker 366-3541 jparker@normantranscript.com