Alamo Bowl Preview- #23 Texas Longhorns vs. #13 Oregon State Beavers

Headline: The 23rd ranked Longhorns stay in state to face the 13th ranked Beavers in the Alamo Bowl.

6:35 ET on ESPN


Oregon State Beavers:
The Oregon State Beavers are very pleased to be sitting at 9-3 and in a bowl game for the first time since 2009. Tied for the biggest win improvement from last season, the Beavers won 6 more games than they did last season. After a 4-0 start, the Beavers starting QB, Sean Mannion, required knee surgery which helped Junior Cody Vaz assume the same position. Despite Mannion's return, Coach Riley named Vaz the starter before their departure for San Antonio. The Longhorns will have to contain Oregon State's all-time receptions leader Markus Wheaton who broke former role model's record, James Rodgers, with 12 receptions in a 77-3 blowout against Nicholls State.

Texas Longhorns:
Most teams in the FBS would be satisfied with an 8-4 record and an invitation to the Alamo Bowl yet Texas is disappointed and Mack Brown is on the warm seat. Coach Brown's seat is only warm because of the Bowl Berth but if the Longhorns do not return to a BCS Bowl next season things will get interesting in Austin. A storied program like Texas expects to be on the big stage and if Brown and company cannot get the job done, wholesale changes will be made. Now for the Quarterback conversation. After Case McCoy (and Jordan Hicks) went partying after curfew the other night, Ash has found some job security at QB. Although Ash was named the starter, he was going to be on a short string similar to the Thanksgiving game against TCU. Ash will start but Texas' success will rely on their running game. Led by Malcolm Brown, Jonathan Gray, and Joe Bergeron the Longhorn rushing attack is one of the deadliest in the Nation and will have to carry the 'Horns to victory.

Prediction:
In a mild upset, the Longhorns will protect the football and run over the Beavers. Cody Vaz will play well but a late interception will allow the Longhorns to run out the clock to victory.

Final Score:
Texas-27 Oregon State-21

Line:
Oregon Stats -3.5

Over/Under:
58.0

Rivalry Weekend- Oregon vs. Oregon St.

Oregon Ducks #5 (10-1)  vs. Oregon State Beavers #15 (8-2) 

The 10-1 Ducks travel across town to face archrival Oregon State. After Oregon appeared to have a shot at the National Championship, they are now in a tough situation and are not in control of the Pac-12. Because of the loss to Stanford, Oregon is now 2nd to that same Cardinal team. Standford faces a tough test today at UCLA in which a Stanford win would create a rematch for the Pac-12 championship next Friday.

Oregon, led by freshman QB Marcus Mariota, needs a win at Corvalis today to have a chance at the Rose Bowl or another BCS bowl. Heisman candidate, Kenjon Barner, does not look like he has as much of a chance now that the Ducks are no longer BCS champion favorites. The Ducks can still fly and even through the rain, I expect a rebound from the poor offensive effort last weekend.

QB-Sean Mannion

On the opposing sideline will be the Beavers of Oregon State. This OSU team has been under the radar much of the season and possess a team very capable of beating this Oregon squad. Ranked 15th in the nation, an Oregon State win could place them in the highest Pac-12 bowl outside of the BCS. The beavers would love to knock their rivals out of the BCS bowls as well as capping an over achieving season. 

Prediction: Due to my belief that rivalry games always make the game a TD closer than it should be, I think Oregon wins in the end. Much closer than people think adding in the weather elements. The ducks struggled at home in tough weather but they will squeak this one out this afternoon.

Final Score: 31-24