PREVIEW \ Alamo Bowl

No. 24 Ohio State (7-4)vs. Oklahoma State (7-4)
When: 8 p.m.
Where: San Antonio
TV/radio: ESPN, WKBN-AM (570)
Coaches: Jim Tressel (39-11 in fourth year at Ohio State) and Les Miles (28-20 in fourth year at Okla. State).
Payout: Each school receives $1.55 million.
Bowl records: Ohio State is 16-19. Oklahoma State is 10-5.
Last bowl appearance: Ohio State beat Kansas State, 35-28, in last year's Fiesta Bowl. Oklahoma State lost to Ole Miss, 38-28, in last year's Cotton Bowl.
Series history: Ohio State leads, 1-0.
Last meeting: Ohio State won, 37-13, in 1989.
Last game: Ohio State beat Michigan, 37-21, on Nov. 20. Oklahoma State lost at Texas Tech, 31-15, on Nov. 27.
Stat that matters: Buckeyes are 13-1 when scoring 20 points or more in a bowl game.
Game facts: Buckeyes saved their season with the win over Michigan. After offense (100th in nation in total offense, 313.4 ypg) sputtered most of the season, freshman QB Troy Smith was terrific vs. the Wolverines (386 total yards, two TD passes, one TD run), but he is suspended here for violation of team rules. Ineffective for much of the season, sophomore Justin Zwick will start for Buckeyes. WR-S Ted Ginn Jr. (led nation in punt returns, 26.9, school-record four TDs, 19 catches, two TDs, one TD run) can score on any play. K Mike Nugent (20-of-23 on FGs, 5-of-6 outside 50 yards) is a weapon in close game. LB A.J. Hawk must make sure tackles on superb Cowboys RB Vernand Morency (8th in nation with 1,454 rushing, 14 TDs). He gets help from Woods brothers, QB Donovan (1,855 total offense, 10 TD runs, 13 TD passes, 4 ints.) and WR D'Juan Woods (29 catches, 22.4 per catch, 6 TDs). Their oldest brother, former Cowboys WR Rashuan, is now with the San Francisco 49ers. Miles emphasizes taking care of the ball as OK State led the nation in turnover ratio (25 forced, 7 given up).
Scripps Howard