Alamo Bowl May Come Down to Defense

Originally Published: Dec 9, 2010 11:54 AM CDT

Stephany Speck
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

SAN ANTONIO -- Oklahoma State Head Coach Mike Gundy is in his busiest time of the season. His Cowboys (10-2) are preparing to make their fifth-straight bowl game appearance, coaching staff changes could be in the horizon and the recruiting season is in full swing.

For Gundy though, it’s all about taking his challenges day-by-day and maintaining his team’s focus.

“You try to have a schedule and practice and recruit,” Gundy said. “This is actually the busiest time for the year for our coaching staff because we’re trying to continue to recruit to bring into our program but also prepare for a bowl game. Both are very, very important.”

As of 20 minutes ago, our staff is intact, but at any time that could change.”

Gundy and his coaching staff have already started preparing for the Dec. 29 bowl game, noticing areas where Arizona (7-5) will prove to be challenging, specifically Wildcats quarterback Nick Foles.

“I know for us, any time you play an opponent of Nick, than you have to take note,” Gundy said.

The Wildcats’s junior already has 19 touchdowns this season, even after sitting for two games. He’s thrown for 2,911 yards this year and will be looking for his go-to wide receiver Juron Criner, who has caught 10 touchdown passes this season.

Arizona head coach Mike Stoops knows the Pokes have their own threat in quarterback Brandon Weeden. Both teams’ offenses combine for almost 1,000 yards and 70 points per game.

“They’re a different team and a different program than they have been in the past,” Stoops said. “They keep knocking on the door.”

Mike Stoops’ brother, Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops, beat the Cowboys on November 27 in a thrilling 47-41 Bedlam matchup. The family ties could come into play when the Wildcats travel to the Alamo Bowl.

“Well, certainly there are some similarities between defenses that we run at Arizona and Oklahoma,” Arizona’s head coach said. “You look at every opponent, what they did, what they had success with?We have different players, they have different strengths and weaknesses than Oklahoma.”

From Gundy's perspective, the bowl game will offer the best matchup in college football.

“I don’t know if there’s a better matchup for a better bowl game,” Gundy said. “Both teams have very good quarterbacks?but I think one thing we don’t need to overlook is both teams have played good defense at times during the year.”

No doubt the two teams have exciting offenses, so the story line may come down to which teams’ defense can be effective.