Because 2009 is the year Oklahoma State coaches have been looking at for some time now. It's the year when everything comes together.

→The star quarterback will be a senior.

→The Big 12 Conference schedule rotation falls in their favor.

→And they will have had time to build the depth they need on defense to compete at the top of the Big 12 South.

The Cowboys were on the verge of making that jump a year earlier than anticipated, and a 9-3 regular season was more than outsiders expected of this team.

From a personnel standpoint, the Cowboys won't look incredibly different next year. All of the offensive skill players will return, a year older and maybe even better, which should scare any defensive coach in the Big 12.

And at least two starting offensive linemen will be back - three if junior left tackle Russell Okung decides to hang around for his senior season, though he will be a highly regarded NFL prospect if he chooses to come out.

The Cowboys have more depth and are more prepared to handle losses on the offensive line, but the replacements will be inexperienced. OSU's starting offensive linemen played virtually every meaningful snap in Big 12 competition this season.

Brandon Pettigrew will be missed at tight end, but his backups are young and talented.

Defensively, there will be more holes to fill, but that's where the added depth should soon kick in.

Four of OSU's top five defensive backs are seniors, including three safeties, so the involvement of true freshmen Markelle Martin, Johnny Thomas and Victor Johnson should have them ready to contribute.

All of the starting linebackers and defensive ends return, and many of them will be seniors. Depth at defensive tackle will be hit hard by the loss of Tonga Tea and Jeray Chatham, but the Cowboys are always searching for the next Kevin Williams or Ryan McBean in the middle anyway, so that process will continue.

The defensive line could once again be the pivotal factor in OSU's defensive improvement.

But they were better than expected in 2008, and that could be the perfect springboard to an even better '09.

BOWL PROJECTION

Happy Holiday?

Oklahoma State's bowl outlook came into focus Saturday, and with only one Big 12 Conference game left, here's a look at the Cowboys' bowl possibilities:

HOLIDAY BOWL

San Diego, Calif.

Dec. 30, 7 p.m., ESPN

→What must happen: A Missouri loss in the Big 12 Championship game virtually assures the Cowboys of a berth.

→Potential opponent: Oregon and Oregon State are tied for the No. 2 spot, and Oregon's 65-37 win over the Beavers likely would put the Ducks ahead.

→Chance of going there: 80 percent

ALAMO BOWL

San Antonio, Texas

Dec. 29, 7 p.m., ESPN

→What must happen: If Missouri wins the Big 12 title game and the Gator Bowl either passes on a Big 12 team or takes Nebraska, the Cowboys would land here.

→Potential opponent: Northwestern and Iowa are the frontrunners, though the Wildcats have the edge.

→Chance of going there:

15 percent

GATOR BOWL

Jacksonville, Fla.

Jan. 1, noon, CBS

→What must happen: Missouri would have to win the Big 12 title. That would make the Cowboys available here, but it has been widely speculated that the Gator Bowl wants Nebraska.

→Potential opponent: With 10 bowl-eligible ACC teams separated by one game in the conference standings, it's anybody's guess.

→Chance of going there:

5 percent

LOOKING AHEAD

OSU's 2009 schedule

→Sept. 5 vs. Georgia: The difficulty of this game will swing with Matthew Stafford's decision to stay in school or turn pro early.

→Sept. 12 vs. Houston: The Cougars kept getting better this season.

→Sept. 19 vs. Rice: There are no pushovers at the top of Conference USA.

→Sept. 26 vs. Grambling State: Yes, they're bringing the band.

→Oct. 10 at Texas A&M: The Aggies were young this year and improved down the stretch.

→Oct. 17 vs. Missouri: Time for the Tigers to rebuild?

→Oct. 24 at Baylor: Art Briles and Robert Griffin are making trips to Waco seem like actual road games.

→Oct. 31 vs. Texas: Maybe '09 is the year for OSU to finally pull the upset.

→Nov. 7 at Iowa State: Road games are never easy in the Big 12, but the Cyclones were dismal this year.

→Nov. 14 vs. Texas Tech: It looks like this game will stay in Stillwater for '09.

→Nov. 21 vs. Colorado: Dan Hawkins' program should start showing signs of life next season.

→Nov. 28 at Oklahoma: Once again, plenty should be riding on Bedlam.