Game Day Thoughts – Holiday Bowl
Published: 12/30/2008 1:51 AM
Last Modified: 12/30/2008 1:51 AM
SAN DIEGO – This has been a special season for Oklahoma State. The offensive exploits met and even exceeded expectations. Defense did not always generate a negative image. Special teams were special.
Add all that up and it turned out a 9-3 regular season record and a No. 13 ranking. The Cowboys are on the cusp of attaining some history. Win the Holiday Bowl on Tuesday night against Oregon and OSU can finish with just its fourth 10-win season ever. Win the Holiday Bowl and the chance to finish in the top 10 of the final rankings remains a possibility.
OSU football has come a long ways in Mike Gundy's four seasons as head coach. Gundy often has said the Cowboys are not the finished product yet. But to finish this season with a victory would bring distinction in many ways.
Having a 10-win season looks a whole lot better than a 9-win season. Finishing the season with a victory establishes a good feeling that can linger throughout an entire offseason. Cracking the top 10 will kick start the 2009 season and bring a fair share of preseason hype to the program.
Those are aspects OSU's program wants to embrace and establish for years to come. The Holiday Bowl only counts as one game. The ramifications, though, from this game very well could have a longer lasting impact.
Three things I'll be watching closely in the 31st Holiday Bowl:
***The rust factor: Both OSU and Oregon are playing for the first time in 31 days. Which side can establish its rhythm early will gain a potentially big advantage in an expected offensive shootout.
***The battle at the line of scrimmage: Both teams are highly successful running the ball. If this aspect is taken away or rendered unless, it greatly affects how the respective offenses operate. For OSU, its defense has not seen a team rush the ball so often and so effective all season. Will either team be able to slow down this particular aspect?
***Hidden losses: The Christmas night revelation that cornerbacks Terrance Anderson and Markelle Martin did not make the trip to San Diego should not be minimized. Anderson was the top reserve at corner and often was on the field when OSU uses five defensive backs. Martin has been a contributor on special teams. It will be interesting to see if their losses are felt in this game.
---Matt Doyle
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
