The Texas Bowl
Houston, TX- Reliant Stadium





Kansas State (7-5) v. Rutgers (10-2)

Weather: Indoors

Past Results (6):

Dec. 31, 2005	TCU 27, Iowa State 24
Dec. 29, 2004	Colorado 33, UTEP 28
Dec. 30, 2003	Texas Tech 38, Navy 14
Dec. 27, 2002	Oklahoma State 33, Southern Miss 23
Dec. 28, 2001	Texas A&M 28, TCU 9
Dec. 27, 2000	East Carolina 40, Texas Tech 27

Player(s) to Watch: Florida State's DT's Broderick Bunkley and/or Rutgers's Junior QB #14- Mike Teel

Everyone in the nation knows Raymell Rice, so that'd be too easy. Ray will get his yards so I think pressure is on Teel to be accurate and not make mistakes. He can't have another game like he did against Cincy (4 Ints).

Kansas State's Freshman QB #1- Josh Freeman

In his past three games (Col, Tex, Kan) Freeman is averaging 254.6 Yards per game. He's gotten better as the season's gone on, but he's still prone to mistakes he has over a 2-1 Int to TD ratio. If he plays like he did against Texas, K-State can hang around.

Deciding Factor(s): The Rutgers D forcing turnovers.

Obviously Freeman is prone to turnovers, but he's been better of late. Rutgers has one of the top D's in the country and will be all over him. Kansas State wants a high-scoring affair like the Texas game and Rutgers wants it low.

Interesting Fact: The Texas Bowl was formerly known as the Galley.com Furniture Bowl.

Spread: Rutgers -7.5, O/U 44

AA's Pick and Analysis: I'm turning to this quote by Rutgers Coach Terry Schiavo Greg Schiano (too soon for that joke?)

"Certainly, there's disappointment. We had an opportunity to be in the BCS, and more importantly to be league champions. To come close and not get it hurts."

For some reason I see this as a let down game for Rutgers, and K-State will have their chances to win. Rutgers has already proved enough.

Prediction Kansas State 20-16.
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The Desmond Howard Holiday Bowl

San Diego, CA- Qualcomm Stadium

Texas Texas A&M (9-3) v. CAL (9-3)

Weather: Fair, 60 Degrees

Past Results (28):

Last 10....

Dec. 29, 2005	Oklahoma 17, Oregon 14
Dec. 30, 2004	Texas Tech 45, California 31
Dec. 23, 2003	Washington State 28, Texas 20
Dec. 27, 2002	Kansas State 34, Arizona State 27
Dec. 28, 2001	Texas 47, Washington 43
Dec. 29, 2000	Oregon 35, Texas 30
Dec. 30, 1999	Kansas State 24, Washington 20
Dec. 30, 1998	Arizona 23, Nebraska 20
Dec. 29, 1997	Colorado State 35, Missouri 24
Dec. 30, 1996	Colorado 33, Washington 21

Player(s) to Watch: Florida State's DT's Broderick Bunkley and/or Rutgers's Sophomore QB #9- Nate Longshore

Again, everyone in the nation knows RB Marshawn Lynch, so that'd be too easy. Longshore has racked up a ton of yards and 3, 4TD Games. Cal is going to have to throw early and often against Texas Texas A&M.

Texas' Freshman QB #12- Colt McCoy

Colt is the deciding factor in this game, but can he play through his injuries? He only has 7 INTs on the year and.........okay this is getting old......I'm wearing out the joke aren't I?.....moving on......

Texas A&M's Sophomore TE #13- Martellus Bennett

Tellie is tied for the team lead in receptions with 37. He has also put up some good yardage and is a great blocking TE for his team's running offense.

Deciding Factor(s): I have no idea.

Honestly, I don't. These teams seem pretty damn even to me. They are the perfect polar opposites of each other. When that's the case I usually go with the better defense.....and Cal has zippy.

Longshore has been off as of late completing less than 50% of his passes in his last three games. Look for Texas A&M to load up against the run, and dare Longshore to beat them up top.

Interesting Fact: One of the more popular (yet unusual) events associated with the Holiday Bowl is the Wiener Nationals, the national championships for the U.S. dachshund racing circuit.

The Wiener Nationals are the United States national dachshund racing championships sponsored by Wienerschnitzel. Regional qualifiers are held in the Southwestern United States (California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada), with the final 8 Dachshunds racing for the national title every December in San Diego as part of the Holiday Bowl. (Wikipedia)

Spread: Cal -5, O/U 54

AA's Pick and Analysis: I'm seeing this one play out as another letdown game. CAL floundered at the end of the season (losing to Arizona is inexcusable) and should have made a better Bowl.

Texas A&M plays great team defense and the option should be good for 300 yards against a suspect CAL Defense.

Prediction A&M 24-21, and I love the under!
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