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Variety of bowls are possible for OSU
But Gundy says first goal is to win at Colorado.
  
By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer
Published: 11/15/2008  2:12 AM
Last Modified: 11/15/2008  2:33 AM

But Gundy says first goal is to win at Colorado.



BOULDER, Colo. — Mike Gundy's immediate objective for his Oklahoma State football team is to win the next game.

If the Cowboys win Saturday night at Colorado, it would give them nine victories on the season. It also would put the Cowboys in good position to earn a bid to the Holiday Bowl in San Diego.

If OSU were to defeat Colorado and Oklahoma in two weeks, their chances of earning a bid to the Cotton Bowl in Dallas improve considerably.

With its goal of winning the Big 12 Conference championship gone, finishing the regular season strong and securing a quality postseason bowl are now OSU's main objectives.

"You start the season with certain goals, and then as long as you can keep your sights on those goals, they stay focused and in the right frame of mind," Gundy said. "If a goal changes, that's not what you wanted, but it's OK. Now what the new goal is for us is to win nine games."

Gundy doesn't bother with bowl speculation, but bowl officials do. And they wouldn't mind doing business with the Cowboys.

The Cotton Bowl committee doesn't have its first meeting until Dec. 1, six days before all bowl matchups are finalized. Cotton Bowl president Rick Baker, though, is not worried.

By then, Baker's committee should have a good grasp on the Big 12 situation. The Cotton Bowl has the first pick after the Bowl Championship Series matchups are set.

Baker said OSU made a favorable impression with its Cotton Bowl appearance five years ago in a 31-28 loss to Ole Miss. More than 35,000 OSU fans attended the game.

However, due to the Big 12's power this year, Baker suggested OSU would be just one of several options for the Cotton Bowl.

"I hope (Big 12 commissioner) Dan Beebe doesn't ask me for any more money, because the Big 12 certainly will give us some great teams to choose from this year," Baker said. "We just don't know what bucket of teams we'll have available. We're going to have some great choices because of the special season the Big 12 is having."

Unlike the Cotton Bowl, the Holiday Bowl board of directors has met every Monday to discuss potential matchups involving the Big 12 and Pac-10 conferences. According to committee member Eric Graves, OSU is the Big 12 team creating a lot of positive buzz among the Holiday Bowl committee.

OSU's loss to Texas Tech "doesn't mean a whole lot to our situation," Graves said. "There's still a lot of football to be played and a lot of scenarios and what-ifs, but I could see where we end up with the loser of the Bedlam game."

The Cowboys are attractive to the Dec. 30 Holiday Bowl because they would be a "fresh team," said Graves. OSU made its lone Holiday Bowl appearance in 1988. The San Diego game has been saddled with Texas as its Big 12 representative four times in eight years.

"Having a new team makes for a more exciting game," Graves said. "Coach Gundy has Oklahoma State on the rise where it could be a BCS contender in the next few years. If we have a chance to get them on the way up, we're going to grab it."

If the Holiday Bowl doesn't grab the Cowboys, the Alamo, Gator or Sun bowls would be ready to take them.

But since bowl bids will not be awarded until Dec. 7, grabbing a win Saturday is priority No. 1.

"We were extremely disappointed after the (Texas Tech) game, and it should be that way," quarterback Zac Robinson said. "The mood on the plane and bus ride was definitely down. But that's the great thing about college football, because we have another opportunity this week."

OSU BOWL POSSIBILITIES



At 8-2 and with two games left in the regular season, Oklahoma State is under consideration to serve as the Big 12 representative in several bowl games. OSU’s potential destinations include:

Cotton Bowl



Where: Dallas

When: 1 p.m. Jan. 2

Matchup: Big 12 vs. SEC

Comment: OSU would need to finish 10-2 and hope the North Division champ does not win the Big 12 championship game to land here. LSU is a possible SEC representative.

Holiday Bowl



Where: San Diego

When: 7 p.m. Dec. 30

Matchup: Big 12 vs. Pac-10

Comment: Holiday Bowl officials covet OSU and could match the Cowboys against another OSU, Oregon State.

Gator Bowl



Where: Jacksonville, Fla.

When: Noon Jan. 1

Matchup: Big 12/Big East/Notre Dame vs. ACC

Comment: Gator Bowl has the option to select a Big 12 team in one of the next two years. But the game may exercise its option to select Notre Dame this year.

Alamo Bowl



Where: San Antonio

When: 7 p.m. Dec. 29

Matchup: Big 12 vs. Big Ten

Comment: OSU played and lost this game in 1997 and 2004. If the Cowboys stumble in the last two games, they could get a third trip to the Riverwalk.

Sun Bowl



Where: El Paso

When: 1 p.m. Dec. 31

Matchup: Big 12 vs. Pac-10

Comment: Long-shot possibility, but could happen if OSU finishes 8-4 and the Big 12 only has one BCS representative.



Matt Doyle 581-8316
matt.doyle@tulsaworld.com
By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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5 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Report Comment
bruinsooner, (11/15/2008 2:31:04 PM)
This season I never heard a Cowboy fan say, "I hope we are bowl eligible". I guess they have advanced beyond hoping for 6-6. Congratulations and I sincerely mean it.
Report Comment
Kryptonite, Lowcash Oklahoma (11/16/2008 12:48:39 AM)
Stoolwater State will be immensely joyous to receive the 4th place finish in the big 12 south.
Report Comment
Rhymeister, Tulsa (11/16/2008 5:23:54 AM)
Kryptonite, keep talking that smack. Don't weep when your precious Spooners go down to Texas Tech too, lol.
Report Comment
sodypoke, (11/17/2008 10:28:02 AM)
Kryptonite,
Just remember who holds the edge on total National Championships awarded to a school in this great State of Oklahoma by 46 titles at last count and which school produces more revenue earning patents for this state. Don't go trashing an entire sector of the state before you know what you are talking about. OU and Norman are fine places but have plenty of problems, go gripe about that which you might be able to speak about intelligently. And if you can't do that, just try to show some class.
Report Comment
sodypoke, (11/17/2008 10:30:03 AM)
Bruinsooner,
Thanks, it has been a good year for football in the state. Just glad the Nov. 22 game has national implications on both sides now.
 

 
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