COTTON BOWL\Battling for some recognition\Oregon-Colorado lacking past magic.

Byline: Denne H. Freeman Associated Press 

Nationally, it's the "Forgotten Bowl."

Today's matchup of No. 7 Colorado and No. 12 Oregon in the 60th Cotton Bowl could provide an entertaining, high-scoring game.

But it won't capture the coast-to-coast imagination of some previous Cotton Bowls.

There's not much at stake between the two 9-3 teams except pride. It also would be a nice cap for the inaugural seasons of the first-year coaches at both schools and a win could help parlay a national reputation for their programs.

Colorado would like a win to establish its credentials as a power in the new Big 12 Conference. Oregon wants its first-ever top 10 ranking in The Associated Press poll since postseason voting decided the national champion and final pecking order.

The CBS television cameras will be showing some empty seats for the Cotton Bowl. Blame that on the fact that for the first time in 55 years the game is being played without a Southwest Conference representative. There could be some 9,000 unsold seats in the 69,000-seat stadium.

A dreary weather forecast of rain and cold certainly won't help the walk-up sale.

Colorado is no stranger to national rankings. The Buffaloes have been ranked in the AP poll for 116 weeks in a row.

Colorado coach Rick Neuheisel said a win would help recruiting going into the new Big 12, which appears to be a formidable league as its future teams were 4-0 going into Sunday night's Sugar Bowl between Texas and Virginia Tech. The Big 12 will include former SWC teams Texas, Texas Tech and Texas A&M, which could bring a local flavor back to future Cotton Bowls.

"It's a big game for us from that standpoint," Neuheisel said. "A win always helps rankings and recruiting. I think it will be an exciting game with a lot of trick plays."

Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said the Ducks need a win to step up to the next level.

"We would finish in the top 10 and finish with 10 wins for the first time," Bellotti said. "When you do anything for the first time, people are going to stand up and take notice. We've been a top 20 team in and out for several years.

"It's great to be playing a team the caliber of Colorado. They've been a national champion in recent years. And they are a top 10 rated team now. Obviously, it's where we aspire to be and to do that we have to win."

The Pac-10 is 0-3 in bowl games this season.

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Photo Coach Rick Neuheisel and QB John Hessler led Colorado to 9-3 season and Cotton Bowl berth. Associated Press