Texas Bowl Game Breakdown
Old Southwest Conference rivals meet up in the Texas Bowl. Both teams finished the season strong just to become bowl eligible, and both coaches look for their first bowl win at their current school. It’s the Razorbacks and Longhorns in the Advocare V100 Texas Bowl.
The Breakdown:
Arkansas was one of the hottest teams in the country at the end of the regular season. They shutout LSU to end their 17-game SEC losing streak and then destroyed a top-ten Ole Miss team. However, they couldn’t close the regular season with a win against Mizzou, but still come into the bowl very hot. Texas also comes into this game with momentum, winning three of their last four en route to becoming bowl eligible. Arkansas is led by quarterback Brandon Allen, who has 18 touchdowns and five interceptions on the year. Allen has played well in his junior campaign, and has had some help from one of the best offensive lines in the country. Don’t look for him to shine in the bowl game though because he is dealing with a hip injury which kept him out for the 2nd half of the Ole Miss game and caused him to play poorly against Missouri. The good news for Arkansas though is that they have two outstanding running backs in Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins, who have both rushed for over 1,000 yards this year. The Texas defensive line has to step up, because the Hogs will be run-heavy with Allen banged up. The UT defense has played well this year, so they are very capable of slowing down the Hogs offense. It may be a problem for the Horns to get something going on offense though, as quarterback Tyrone Swoops has been very inconsistent. He has 13 TD’s and 10 picks on the year and has really struggled against good defenses. Problem: Arkansas has a REALLY good defense. Swoops will have to play very well if the Horns want a chance.
Prediction:
The Razorback defense will be the difference. They are going up against a very mediocre offense and if they can shutout Ole Miss, they can handle Texas. I think that Charlie Strong’s team keeps it close for a while, but Arkansas will eventually pull away. I’m calling the Hogs in this one. Pig Sooie.
Score: Arkansas 30, Texas 13
