Oklahoma vs. Connecticut: Fiesta Bowl

The 2011 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl features the No. 9 Oklahoma Sooners (11-2) against the No. 25 Connecticut Huskies (8-4) at 8:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 1, 2011.

It couldn't pit more polar opposite programs.

UConn wasn't even in Division I (now FBS) until 1997 and just joined the Big East in 2004. This is the Huskies' first appearance in a BCS bowl. Oklahoma is playing in its eighth BCS bowl and has won seven national championships. The Sooners have been in operation at the highest collegiate level since 1895, meaning the program is over 100 years older than UConn's. The Sooners have won 42 conference championships, while UConn won a share of its first Big East title this season.

But this game won't be decided on history.

Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma Cruises on Jones' Arm

UConn comes in hot, having won five straight games after a sluggish 3-4 start.

If Randy Edsall's Huskies can upset the Sooners, it will be on the legs of the Big East player of the year, running back Jordan Todman. The junior ran for 1,188 yards last season, but kicked things into high gear in 2010. Only twice did he not reach 100 yards in a game this season (80 and 93, respectively), garnering 1,574 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground -- and he missed one game.

Oklahoma also comes in on a winning streak. After starting 6-0 and rising to No. 1 in the BCS standings, Bob Stoops' Sooners were upset at Missouri and then lost two weeks later at Texas A&M. Since then, Oklahoma has won four straight, all wins over bowl teams and two against ranked teams.

The high-powered offense is led by quarterback Landry Jones, who has thrown for 4,289 yards and 35 touchdowns. Ryan Broyles is the most frequent beneficiary, having caught 118 passes for 1,452 yards and 13 touchdowns. DeMarco Murray carries the ground game, accruing 1,121 yards and 14 TDs rushing.

The Fiesta Bowl will mark the first time the two schools have ever met on the football field.