CHEEZ-IT BOWL -- This is the lone ranked bowl matchup outside the New Year's Six. Both schools have been hit hard by opt outs/transfers/injuries, although I'd say OSU got hit a touch harder with top running back Chuba Hubbard, No. 1 offensive lineman Teven Jenkins and four-year starting cornerback Rodarius Williams opting out -- plus tight end Jelani Woods entering the transfer portal. That said, I simply this is all about motivation. Miami still has the sour taste of an embarrassing loss to North Carolina in its mouth, and this game might be a referendum on Manny Diaz's coaching ability. His team flopped in a bowl last year. Diaz & Co. probably are treating this like quite a big deal. I'm just not sure it matters as much to Oklahoma State, which also had to travel halfway across the country while Miami took a bus to Orlando. Sometimes, it's the little things that matter.

QB D’Eriq King’s declaration that will he return -- for a sixth college season! -- has charged up Miami supporters. It’s the absentees for this game that should negate the enthusiasm. The Hurricanes’ premier pass rushers, Quincy Roche and Jaelen Phillips, voluntarily sit out and will hand the baton to redshirt freshmen. The school has not disclosed if DE Jared Harrison-Hunte and TE Larry Hodges will be available. Oklahoma State will go without NFL-bound RB Chuba Hubbard, but he was less effective than usual and has been ably replaced. Cowboys coach Mike Gundy is 9-5 straight-up in bowls and has covered four in a row. Counterpart Manny Diaz has a small bowl sample -- one game -- but it was horrid: a 14-0 loss to Louisiana Tech.

This one will look a lot like a Big 12 shootout. Neither defense is overly impressive and both offenses put up points in bunches down the stretch. Because of that, expect this one to be one of the wildest games of the postseason.

The Cowboys have used a running back-by-committee approach since Chuba Hubbard bailed for the pros, and it has been working. The balance that has created has helped keep this offense clicking and should scare 'Canes fans. That is what killed them last time out vs. North Carolina, and history will repeat itself.