Texas vs. Colorado: Alamo Bowl Preview and Prediction
Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming Alamo Bowl in our Texas vs. Colorado preview and prediction.
Game Info
8:00 p.m. Central Time, Tuesday December 29th, 2020, Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas.
TV: ESPN
Texas Radio: Longhorn IMG Radio (Craig Way)
Spread: Texas (-9.5)
Fun Fact: This will be the Longhorns fourth Alamo Bowl appearance since 2012 and under Tom Herman, Texas has yet to lose a bowl game.
Key Players
Colorado
RB Jarek Broussard
Despite just playing five games this season, Jarek has been the engine of the Buffaloes offense this season. He earned AP Pac-12 honors for offensive player of the year after rushing for 813 yards averaging a whopping 6.3 yards per carry. If Colorado is going to win this game, it will likely be behind the rushing attack of Jarek Broussard.
LB Carson Wells
With star linebacker Nate Landman out due to injury, Carson Wells will be looked upon to do the heavy lifting for this defense. Wells is second on the team in tackles and has four and a half sacks through five games.
Texas
QB Sam Ehlinger
While his completion percentage has taken a hit this season, Sam Ehlinger has had a productive year Austin. He has thrown for 25 touchdowns on juts five picks along with running in eight scores. At times, he has had to carry the offense with his legs and arm but the issue with Texas has not been Sam. It has been the pieces around him.
LB DeMarvion Overshown
With Joseph Ossai going pro, DeMarvion announced that he would be returning to Austin for another season. Overshown has had a solid season and is second on the team in tackles while being tied for the most pass breakups as well. He can do it all and with Ossai out, he looks to be the leader of this Texas defense moving forward.
Final Thoughts
Colorado is a run-first team. In fact, the Buffaloes average more yards per game on the ground (218.4) than they do through the air (202.6). The key for Texas will be stopping the run which is an area they have been average as they rank fifth in the Big 12 in rush defense. If the Longhorns can stop the run, they should have no issue shutting down the Colorado offense.
The good news for the Texas offense is that Colorado has struggled against the run allowing 156.8 yards per game. Between Sam Ehlinger’s legs and the emergence of freshman running back Bijan Robinson, the Longhorns should be able to expose the Buffaloes defense.
Prediction
Texas: 34, Colorado: 28
As is often time the case in these bowl games, who is more motivated? Tom Herman is set to return to Texas in 2021, and while he has that job security, he doesn’t want to spend eight months having the lasting image of his team be a loss to a mediocre Pac-12 team that has only played a handful of games this season. Especially when his team was a double-digit favorite. Yes some key Texas players won’t be on the field, but the Longhorns should still take care of business and get a “W”.
**Want to win a $20 gift card? Go sign up here and join our conversation! The best poster each week wins a gift card to your favorite establishment!**
