2008 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl Preview

It's been 20 years since Oklahoma State University was in the Holiday Bowl. The Pokes are packing their bags for San Diego once again.

Friday, December 12th 2008, 5:49 pm

By: News On 6

By Kyle Dierking, NewsOn6.com

STILLWATER, OK -- The last time Oklahoma State was in the Holiday Bowl, Mike Gundy was quarterbacking the Cowboys, Barry Sanders was the Heisman Trophy winner and Rain Man was the reigning movie at the box office.

Twenty years later, Gundy is the head coach of the Pokes. Sanders is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And Rain Man star Tom Cruise has gone from journeying the country with Dustin Hoffman to jumping on Oprah's couch.

Learn more about the 2008 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl.

As much as things change, they also stay the same. The 62-14 Cowboys win against Wyoming was "touted as one of the great offensive showdowns of the '88 seasons," according to the OSU media guide.

The premise is much the same for the 2008 version of the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl.

OSU and Oregon rank in the top 10 nationally in total offense, putting up more than 40 points per game. Both schools sit in the bottom half in total defense, so it has the makings of a shoot-out style game that should have no shortage of touchdowns.

The Cowboy offense is led by a pair of sophomores. Wide receiver Dez Bryant is one of the top receivers in the country with 1,313 yards and 18 touchdowns while running back Kendall Hunter has 1,518 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Oregon is coming off its annual Civil War game with Oregon State in which they blew out the Beavers on the road to burst its Rose Bowl hopes. The Ducks boast a pair of running backs that have shouldered the load this season. Senior Jeremiah Johnson has 1,082 yards and 12 TD's and junior LeGarrette Blount has run for 928 yards and 16 touchdowns.

The Holiday Bowl is December 30th, 2008 -- 20 years to the day of OSU's Holiday Bowl victory.

THE TEAMS

Oregon (9-3 overall, 7-2 Pac-10)
Head Coach: Mike Bellotti
Key Win: Nov. 29 @ Oregon State (65-38)
Last Bowl: 2007 Sun (56-21 win over South Florida)

Oklahoma State (9-3 overall, 5-3 Big 12)
Head Coach: Mike Gundy
Key Win: Oct. 11 @ Missouri (28-23)
Last Bowl: 2007 Insight (49-33 win over Indiana)

GAME INFORMATION

Time: 7:00 p.m.
Date: December 30, 2008
Location: San Diego, California
TV: ESPN