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Defenses will be tested when Bears, Bruins meet for first-time in Holiday Bowl

Associated Press
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UCLA coach Jim Mora answers a question during a coaches' press conference for the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game against Baylor, Wednesday Dec. 26, 2012 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi) (The Associated Press)

Baylor coach Art Briles answers questions at a coaches' press conference for the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game against UCLA, Wednesday Dec. 26, 2012 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi) (The Associated Press)

Now, this could be a Holiday Bowl.

The Baylor Bears (7-5), whose offense ranks first nationally after piling up an average of 578.8 yards, face the UCLA Bruins (9-4) on Thursday night in the game that calls itself "America's Most Exciting Bowl Game."

This game should more than ooze offense.

"When people predict a shootout and the head coach is standing up here talking about a shootout, if you're a defensive guy, you bow up a little bit," UCLA coach Jim Mora said Wednesday. "It'll be a great night to be at Qualcomm watching football, because you're going to see some quality football and some exciting football."

Suffice it to say that the defensive coordinators have been busy.