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 Who will vie for the 2008 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl Trophy?
From the Pac-10, which provides the bowl with its conference
runner-up, USC, Oregon, Arizona State and Cal have seen predictions placing
them in the December 30th game. On the
Big 12 side, from which the game receives the third selection, there have been
forecasts of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Texas and Texas A&M
heading west to “America’s Finest City.”
The most popular choice to win the Pac-10 yet again is USC.
Despite losing 11 starters from last year’s squad, most feel junior QB Mark
Sanchez and senior LB Rey Maualuga will lead the team to their sixth straight
BCS birth. Of the remaining conference
favorites, many envision California making the trip south to play in San Diego
for the third time in the last five years.
Though the Golden Bears lost 12 starters expect Head Coach Jeff Tedford
to have his boys back in the national picture in 2008. QB Rudy Carpenter could lead Arizona State
back to San Diego for the second consecutive year. If they do, expect a much better performance
than last year’s disappointing 52-34 loss to Texas. Longtime powerhouse Oregon was on track for a
BCS birth last year until an injury to star QB Dennis Dixon led to an upset
loss to Arizona in their ninth game. Head
Coach Mike Bellotti will have the Ducks ready for the season opener against
Washington in Eugene.
Expectations for the Big 12 to place two teams in BCS games
are high. Many select conference
perennial stalwart Oklahoma as the favorite to win the conference title. Several pre-season All-America candidates,
including junior TE Jermaine Gresham, could even bring Head Coach Bob Stoops
his first national title since 2000. A favorable
non-conference schedule and ten returning starters on offense, including senior
QB Graham Harrell, may lead to Texas Tech being the nation’s surprise
team. Texas, always a power in the Big
12, could spend the holidays in San Diego for the fourth time this decade. Head Coach Mack Brown returns Pacific Life
Holiday Bowl MVP QB Colt McCoy and DE Brian Orakpo to a team that has sights
sets on a trip to Miami for the BCS championship. But if they don’t, don’t be surprised to see
them heading west to San Diego. Oklahoma
State plays in the Big 12’s tougher South Division, but Head Coach Mike Gundy
has his Cowboys poised to improve on their 7-6 record in 2007. A trip to San Diego would mark the school’s
first appearance since 1988 when Barry Sanders rushed for 222 yards against
Wyoming. There’s an air of excitement in
College Station as first year Head Coach Mike Sherman readies his Texas A&M
squad. QB Stephen McGee, a threat through the air and on the ground, will join
the 6-0, 280-pound senior FB Jorvorskie Lane for what they hope is a return to
national prominence.
However, funny things happen through the course of a
season. So don’t be taken by surprise if
other teams from these two stellar conferences show up ready to go December
30th at Qualcomm Stadium.
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