Although every bowl game has the potential to be fun, few truly live up to that potential. On paper, at least, the Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium sets up what should be an intriguing showdown between the SEC and the Big 12. It pits Ole Miss and Texas Tech against some of the most entertaining offensive weapons in college football. field.
The Rebels (8-4, 4-4 SEC) snapped a three-game losing streak, including a 24-22 loss to rival Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl in the final game of the regular season. The Red Raiders (7-5, 5-4 Big 12), on the other hand, are riding a three-game winning streak that includes a 51-49 overtime win at Oklahoma in the regular season finale.
Let’s split the game and pick with the spread.
How to watch the Texas Bowl live
day: Wednesday, December 28 | time9:00 a.m
AreaNRG Stadium – Houston, Texas
TV: ESPN | Live Streaming: fuboTV (try free)
Ole Miss vs. Texas Tech: Need to know
strength and weakness; Ole Miss’ offense is fueled by a highly dynamic rushing attack led by Quinshawn Judkins. The freshman has 1,474 yards and 16 touchdowns, and has gone north of 100 yards eight times in his first season at Oxford. Fellow running back Zach Evans (who could declare for the NFL draft) and quarterback Jackson Dart are also over the 500-yard mark on the ground this year. They will go up against a Red Raider defense that ranks 90th nationally at 166.42 yards per game.
Texas Tech still can on offense: It’s not much of a surprise that Texas Tech is able to put it on the air on every field. The Red Raiders ranked 12th nationally with 307 passing yards per game despite starting three different quarterbacks. Tyler Shaw has started each of the past three games and had a 463-yard performance in the regular-season finale against Oklahoma. Donovan Smith gets the nod after transferring and with Beren Morton coming off an ankle injury.
The Lane Kiffin Factor: After Auburn fired longtime coach Brian Harsin at the end of the regular season, the Rebels’ head coach is reportedly leaving town. Was that a distraction for the players? There is no way of knowing. However, Kiffin An extension was signed last month This made him the head coach of the Rebels. That stability could go a long way in helping the Rebels get out of their late-season funk.
Texas Bowl Predictions, Picks
Featured game | Ole Miss Rebels vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders
The trend is your friend, and Ole Miss is a lowly 3-7-1 against the spread this year. It’s hard to imagine the Rebels’ defense slowing down this Texas Tech passing attack, and the Red Raiders should have more in the tank now that they’ve had a month to tame what has been a wild regular season. Red Raiders and take the points. Even if they don’t win, losing a field goal still costs money. Prediction: Texas Tech (+3.5)
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