NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma's opponent in the Cotton Bowl is no stranger to the New Year's Day game.

The Arkansas Razorbacks have played in the Cotton Bowl 10 times, most recently two seasons ago when they beat Texas 27-6. On Sunday, they accepted the bid for the 2002 game.

"We're excited for the opportunity to compete against Arkansas. It'll be a great challenge," coach Bob Stoops said.

After losing three of their first four games, the Razorbacks (7-4) won six straight, including a 58-56 victory over Mississippi in seven overtimes. They wound up 4-4 in the Southeastern Conference.

"I saw them play that big overtime game earlier this season and I was really impressed," quarterback Nate Hybl said. "At the time, I didn't foresee us playing them, but I was impressed with their quarterback and with the way they hung in there. I know they're a quality football team."

The Sooners (10-2) found out early last week that they would be playing in the Cotton Bowl for the first time. But they had to wait until Sunday to see which Southeastern Conference team would get the bid.

The Cotton slot opened up for Arkansas when LSU beat Tennessee in the SEC championship game Saturday night.

Cotton Bowl officials said they spent about an hour Sunday afternoon deciding from among Arkansas, Georgia and Mississippi, but the Razorbacks were eventually the unanimous pick.

"I'm excited about playing Arkansas because they're a good team from a good conference," receiver Josh Norman said. "We always hear arguments as to what conference is better, the SEC or the Big 12, so this will give us a good chance to represent Oklahoma and the Big 12."

The Sooners and Razorbacks have met twice in bowl games, but otherwise haven't played each other since 1926.

Arkansas handed Oklahoma one of the biggest upsets in school history when it beat the second-ranked Sooners 31-6 in the 1978 Orange Bowl. That loss cost the Sooners the national championship.

Oklahoma beat Arkansas 42-8 in the 1987 Orange Bowl.

"We'll prepare just as vigorously as we would for any game," linebacker Brandon Moore said. "I do think this adds a little rivalry aspect because the two states are so close together."