Texas Bowl 2009

The 2009 Texas Bowl will be contested on Thursday December 31, 2009. Here in this space each week I will take a look at the teams that could be headed to Houston as well as breakdown the top college football games. This year’s game will feature The United States Naval Academy (Navy) taking on a member of the Big 12 Conference provided that Navy has a winning record and that the Big 12 has enough teams qualify for postseason play.

Navy plays 13 regular season games this season. The NCAA allows an exception to the 12 game season rule when a team is playing @Hawaii. Beyond Hawaii, and their annual Commander and Chief games versus Army and Air Force, the Midshipmen will play BCS teams Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Wake Forest, and Notre Dame. Coach Ken Niumataolo is breaking in a new option QB in junior Ricky Dobbs and must replace game-breaking wing back Shun White.

Big 12 This Week
Saturday September 19th

(0-2) Rice @ #16 (1-1) Oklahoma State - The Cowboys get their 2nd consecutive crack at a Conference USA squad from Houston. Oklahoma State turned the ball over four times against the Cougars last week and also seemed to cramp up physically in the 4th quarter.

(2-0) #19 Nebraska at (1-1) #13 Virginia Tech - New Cornhuskers QB Zac Lee gets his 1st real test against one of the nation’s top defenses. If Nebraska can force Tech QB Tyrod Taylor to take some chances down the field, they can spring the upset in Blacksburg.

(2-0) Tulsa at (1-1) #12 Oklahoma - Texas Longhorn transfer GJ Kinne has more than held his own as Tulsa’s QB. He has 6 TD’s in two games, but will find fewer wide open spaces against a Sooner defense that can really get after the passer. Tulsa has traditionally kept this rivalry game close and this year should be no different, especially with Sooners QB Sam Bradford sidelined with a knee injury.

(1-1) Wyoming at (0-2) Colorado - Dan Hawkins hot seat has reached a boiling point following a huge loss at Toledo. The Buffs’ defense can’t stop a hard marching band right now. Expect Colorado to get conservative offensively and try to keep their defense off the field with RB Darrel Scott.

(1-1) Connecticut at (1-0) Baylor - The Huskies lost a game in inexplicable fashion last weekend against North Carolina. With one minute remaining and the score tied at 10, Connecticut was called for holding in its own end zone which resulted in a UNC safety. The Bears’ Robert Griffin has his coming out party last year in Hartford. The Bears have too much offense to lose this one at home.

(0-1) Utah State at (1-0) Texas A&M - It’s two Aggies for the price of one in College Station, Texas, Saturday night. Christine Michael had a very productive debut two weeks ago for A&M averaging over 10 yards a carry in a win over New Mexico.

(1-1) Iowa State at (1-1) Kent State -The Cyclones lost badly to their in-state rivals, Iowa, 35-3 last week. Iowa State quarterback Austen Arnaud suffered through a miserable day, finishing 10 of 22 for 79 yards and four interceptions.

(2-0) Texas Tech at (2-0) #2 Texas - While some people have called this a “revenge” game for the Longhorns last second defeat in Lubbock last season, this is clearly not the same Texas Tech football team this season. Tech is replacing 75% of its offensive production and will not have the crowd on its side this season. The Longhorns should score early and often in this one while a maturing secondary could have a productive day against Tech’s 1st year starting QB Taylor Potts.

(1-1) Kansas State at (2-0) UCLA - The Bruins will be without starting QB Kevin Prince who fractured his jaw last week in a win over Tennessee. Kansas State has found yardage hard to come by following the departure of last year’s starting QB, Josh Freeman to the NFL.
Navy This Week

(1-1) Navy @ (2-0) Pittsburgh - These two teams are polar opposites. The Panthers have the top shelf talent, while the Midshipmen are better at execution. Navy scored 33 straight points to overcome a 14 point deficit in a win over Louisiana Tech last weekend. Pitt was the beneficiary of a 3 fumbles in a win over Buffalo.