To rebound and gain a spot in the third bowl in the Big 12 hierarchy was not only a noteworthy accomplishment, it stamps the 7-4 Sooners as a squad that could challenge Oregon (10-1) in the Dec. 29 matchup in San Diego.

"We've got a chance to play a really good team," said Oklahoma DT Dusty Dvoracek, "and we've got a chance to make a really big-time statement."

This is the first time the Sooners are destined for a bowl lower than the BCS since 1999, when Bob Stoops was in his first season and Oklahoma landed in the Independence Bowl, where it lost to Ole Miss on a late field goal. The next season, Oklahoma captured the national championship in the Orange Bowl.

Could the same route unfold beginning with the Holiday Bowl? It's possible. Oklahoma fielded one of the youngest teams in the country, yet won five of its last six games following the loss to Texas.

A return to national prominence may soon await, but until then, a little diversion in sunny San Diego doesn't sound all that bad.