CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo spent a frustrating Saturday night watching the Longhorns' hopes of playing for the national championship dashed.

Today, he gave Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes tips on how to stop Oklahoma, which reached the championship game despite a loss to Orakpo's Longhorns.

Orakpo finally got a reason to celebrate tonight, when he beat out Spikes and three other finalists to win the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded by the Charlotte Touchdown Club to the nation's top defensive player.

"A dream come true," Orakpo said.

And the end to an emotional weekend for the strong and powerful 6-foot-4, 260-pound senior from Houston who ranks sixth in the nation with 10› sacks.

After the Bowl Championship Series rankings put Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game ahead of Texas despite the Longhorns' 45-35 win over the Sooners, Orakpo could only sit and root for Missouri on Saturday night, hoping for a major upset that could put Texas in the title game.

No chance. The Sooners cruised to a 62-21 win. Oklahoma will face Florida for the title, while Texas faces Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl.

"I was having a heart attack. I threw my Missouri hat out the door and everything," Orakpo said. "I'm just playing. OU, man, their offense is great. It was another situation where they racked up points very quickly."

Orakpo arrived in Charlotte on Sunday and met up with Spikes and fellow Bronko Nagurski finalists Jerry Hughes, a defensive end from TCU and Wake Forest cornerback Alphonso Smith. The fifth finalist, Southern California linebacker Rey Maualuga, had a final exam Monday and couldn't attend.

Spikes, who a day earlier helped the Gators beat Alabama for the Southeastern Conference title and a spot in the championship game, quickly quizzed Orakpo on the Sooners and their top-ranked offense.

Good choice. Orakpo had two sacks, four tackles for a loss and a forced fumble against Oklahoma.

"I asked him a few questions, about the O-line and their rushing attack," Spikes said. "He told me a few things. I can't say too much."

Orakpo was more forthcoming with what he feels Florida must do to contain Oklahoma's offense, which has scored 60 or more points in five straight games.

"Get ready for that no-huddle. Make sure your team is lined up, especially the D-line, and make sure your DBs are well aware of the situation," Orakpo said. "The no-huddle offense gets you off-balance and out of position at times.

"You've got to put pressure on (quarterback Sam) Bradford, man. If you put our film on there, you see how much pressure we got and that's why we were successful in the game. You can't let him sit back there all day."

It would help if the Gators had Orakpo. He has 18 tackles for a loss and has forced four fumbles this season.

"It's been a great season," Orakpo said. "The only thing I can do is thank my teammates for putting me in a position to make those plays.

"We're this close to being in this national title game. But it doesn't take away from the successful season that we had. We have a great shot with a BCS game. This season is one to remember."

And it includes Orakpo's name joining an elite list of past Bronko Nagurski Trophy winners, including Warren Sapp, Charles Woodson, Champ Bailey, Roy Williams and Glenn Dorsey, who won last year.

The 16-year-old Bronko Nagurski Trophy is named after the late All-American, who starred at fullback and tackle at Minnesota from 1927-29. He then led the Chicago Bears to three NFL championships and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.