Alamo Bowl Prediction Thread

by Peter Bean on Dec 29, 2006 4:19 PM CST in Texas Longhorns Football

It's tough to get a read on how the Alamo Bowl will play out. Hell, it's pretty tough to figure out how most of these bowl games will play out. Between the long layoff between the regular season and the bowls, the inconsistencies of collegiate players, and unusual team pairings, no matter how much you look at a matchup, there are going to be times when the game just plays out completely different than you'd expect.

The 'Horns are almost ten point favorites heading into tomorrow's game, and if Colt's injury weren't a concern, I'd say that line looked about right. Texas has one of the better offenses in the country when all cylinders are firing, but there are two obstacles that have been holding it back of late:

Colt's health Is he 100% healthy? Equally important, even if he's physically recovered, is he mentally where he needs to be? How will his confidence fare after the brutal A&M game to close the regular season? Further, will Greg Davis be tentative in deploying Colt? How willing is the staff to let Colt rip?

The running game If Texas plays things close to the vest, will Iowa load up to stop Texas' run? If so, can Texas sustain drives? This Longhorn offense started the season as an outstanding running team that hid a substandard passing game. By the Kansas State game, the running game had taken a backseat to the passing game. Is this the game Texas finally gets the run game back on track? Can Texas convert some third downs on the ground?

Iowa's likely to play a bend-don't-break defense, forcing Texas to make multiple plays and sustain drives. That means Texas must take care of the football and must take advantage of opportunities in the red zone. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see this game played very similarly to the Nebraska game, though I'm hopeful Texas will 1) be more aggressive with a lead and 2) improve its performance in the red zone. If those two things happen, the Longhorns should enjoy a solid bowl victory. If not, I suspect we'll be in for a tight game in the 20s.

Given the two big questions highlighted above, I'm afraid we're in for a tough battle. Officially, I'm picking Texas to win - but not by much. Ten wins again for Mack Brown - 30-27.

Leave your game predictions in the comments below.

--PB--

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with new news

that LB (and greatest name of the year award winner) Mike Klinkenborg is out, i think our running game gets a little better, maybe one more TD. Still will be too close for comfort until a late one to put it away.

Horns 31
Hawkeyes 21

...til Gabriel blows his horn

by BigTexBD on Dec 29, 2006 6:12 PM CST reply actions

Horns 70, Hawkeyes 3

Followed by a Titans victory of that same score on Sunday. Hook Em

The New England Patriots are going to find out what we've all been talking about.

by SuperBentley on Dec 29, 2006 8:13 PM CST reply actions

HORNS 45 -- HAWKEYES 9

by burntorangenance on Dec 29, 2006 8:26 PM CST reply actions

Anyone watching Tech get throttled?

I hope our line is watching Minnesota block. For fans of power running, go check it out - NFL Network is on a freeview week. The Gopher line is just BITCHING Texas Tech at the line of scrimmage. Blowing Tech's D-Line right off the ball.

by Peter Bean on Dec 29, 2006 8:36 PM CST reply actions

Tech

Came back from 31 down, won it in double overtime... largest comeback ever in NCAA history

by Rush8192 on Dec 29, 2006 11:01 PM CST up reply actions

Too bad it was on a station no one has.

NCAA on NFL Network? something's amiss.

by the other Andrew on Dec 29, 2006 11:31 PM CST up reply actions

NFL Network is free for untill Dec 30th

Does anyone know what's the deal with NFL network after that?

by longhornie on Dec 29, 2006 11:43 PM CST up reply actions

wow

What a comeback! Big XII 2-3 ...

by longhornie on Dec 29, 2006 11:01 PM CST up reply actions

Great game

Outstanding football comeback

by Peter Bean on Dec 29, 2006 11:17 PM CST up reply actions

Doesn't this record...

... eclipse the comeback record just set by Texas against Tech earlier this year?

Starting in January 2007, just another Limey Longhorn

by patienthornsfan on Dec 30, 2006 8:12 AM CST up reply actions

Texas 41 Iowa 10

by longhornie on Dec 29, 2006 11:03 PM CST reply actions

Texas 52 Iowa 13

These seniors will play their final game in pretty on their home turf (2 hours away). I am sure they will not disappoint the fans and will put up the good show for their school finale game. After the painful consecutive losses, I think they will pump enough to put up the "Texas Fight" and whoop Hawkeye ass. That's why I call for 52-13 Texas win.

After the KS game painful lesson, GD to do list:

please do not let CM for qb sneak. When 3&1 & if u have to pound the ball, just let the full back "Chris Ogbonnaya" do his job.
you do not need to convert the end zone 4&1 at the very beginning of the game. Just kick the field goal especially when we are not behind and the score is 0-0

Talk about the Tech game, I am no fan of Tech but the way they can came from behind to win the game, Tech fans should be very proud to themselves. After I had watched the first half, I though it will be another Big 12 team get their ass whoop. 35-7 at the half.

But I am glad that they had hanged on & came back won the game. The way they played tonight, they should be very proud of themselves. It will be interesting game to watch when they visit Austin next yr.

I am glad that Tech had put up a good show on the national TV(dunno if I can called NFL network as national tv). Anyway, I am glad that they had made some NCAA history for the Big 12 conference. We need Big 12 to look good next season otherwise, our chance to get pick to play for another NC is slim to none.

Damn, so far, all the Big 12 teams only won 4 out of 8 bowls(assuming Horns & the corn hole win out). That's not looking good for our conference at this pt.

Hook'em!

by Horns98 on Dec 30, 2006 2:19 AM CST reply actions