Six Big 12 teams are bowling this year

Big 12 Roundup: Oklahoma playoff bound highlights Big 12's postseason

Cody Stoots
Dec 9, 2019, 2:14 am

Here is a look at the Big 12 bowl slate.

Sooners playoff bound again

Oklahoma is back in the College Football Playoff. What an amazing coaching job by Lincoln Riley to take a third straight quarterback to the playoff. Incredible job by him on the offense.

The defense though, is where the Sooners are different from previous teams. They have had enough more than a few times to be carried by the defense. They face something better than all their toughest opponents combined though.

Joe Burrow and the LSU Tigers will be tough to slow down and surprisingly tough to score on for the Sooners. It won't be easy for Oklahoma to earn the Big 12's first playoff win.

Peach Bowl Prediction: LSU 34 Oklahoma 24

Sweet ending for the Baylor Bears?

The Baylor Bears still haven plenty to play for and they find themselves in the same spot as Texas a year ago. The Georgia Bulldogs should own similar motivation to last year while Baylor will try to end their season on the highest note in years.

Matt Rhule is the key here. If he is getting ready for NFL job interviews, or is already gone, that could throw things out of whack for the Bears. If he is truly committed to Baylor, they will be chomping at the bit to prove only Oklahoma is better than them this season.

Sugar Bowl Prediction: Baylor 23 Georgia 21

Orange and maroon battle again, but not THAT orange

Despite the perfect opportunity, the Aggies and Longhorns miss each other again. If Texas A&M was playing burnt orange and not the Cowboys' orange the Texas Bowl would be the must-see non-playoff game.

I don't know who to blame but this is a nice consolation. Chuba Hubbard is one of the most impressive players in football. Texas A&M played the toughest schedule in the nation and they slugged it out with some of the best teams in the nation. This isn't the toughest test for the Aggies. It could be a worthwhile opportunity for Jimbo Fisher's crew to get one last look at what they may have in 2020 at quarterback and a few other key positions.

Texas Bowl Prediction: Texas A&M 24 Oklahoma State 17

2019's last stand

I'm not sure how many stud players will be playing in this game, but if they do, this could be a very entertaining affair. The Longhorns got their mojo back with a blowout win against Texas Tech. Utah has to be disappointed their best team in years isn't playing in the playoff.

It will be interesting to see what Tom Herman can do with a couple of his coaches being shown the door. Utah could be without Zach Moss if he decides to start getting ready for the draft early. If he plays, Utah might be a tough out for Texas. As for the Horns, they will have a solid defense to try to score on and an efficient offense to slow down. Texas should be healthy, but might not be talented enough.

Alamo Bowl Prediction: Utah 35 Texas 17

Lucky draw for Iowa State

The head coach is coming back and the quarterback is coming back next season for Iowa State. They had losses of 1, 2, 7, 1, and 10 this season. There is plenty of motivation for Iowa State. Not to mention, they have a fantastic fan base that will love spending time in Orlando.

I say all this to say I believe Iowa State will get after Notre Dame. The Irish had a really good season losing to just Michigan and Georgia on the road. It won't be easy for Iowa State but I like their chances.

Camping World Bowl Prediction: Iowa State 31 Notre Dame 27

Well coached teams square off in Memphis

The Kansas State Wildcats impressed me a ton this season. I figured they were barely a bowl team but the premier coaching of Chris Klieman soon proved me wrong. This could be the start of soemthing impressive in the Little Apple. Meanwhile Navy was the best service academy this year. They are always a tough out but they bounced back nicely from a slump in recent years. This should be a well-coached showdown between two disciplined teams.

Liberty Bowl Prediction: Kansas State 24 Navy 23

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BROWNS BEAT TEXANS

11 observations from Texans' 31-21 loss to Browns

Texans fall to Browns. Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images.

The Houston Texans kept it closer than the experts thought they would, but couldn't pull out a victory. Here are 11 observations from the loss in Cleveland to the Browns.

1. The game looks totally different if Texans quarterback Tyrod Taylor finishes the game. Taylor left at halftime with a hamstring injury. He was playing exceptionally well against his former team. Taylor is not expected to play Thursday according to NFL Network.

2. Davis Mills had a rocky NFL debut which was to be expected. Mills looked to have the wrong elements of a few plays. He also couldn't hit backup wideout Andre Roberts over the middle and threw an interception. It was a fine performance considering what Mills showed he could do in the preseason.

3. Mills didn't work with a full load of offensive weapons in the second half. Rookie wideout Nico Collins didn't return to the game after his lone catch and big run early in the game. Veteran slot receiver Danny Amendola left the game with an injury. Tight end Anthony Auclair left with an eye injury. The Texans entered the game without wide receiver Anthony Miller who was inactive.

4. Brandin Cooks is a monster through two games. He is the most dangerous skill position player on the team, and defenses still have trouble covering him and staying with him. Cooks turned in yet another impressive day for this team and hauled in a Davis Mills touchdown pass.

5. The Browns did a solid job against the ground game of the Texans. Mark Ingram averaged under three yards per carry and Tyrod Taylor was the only rusher to have a big play on the ground. This led to a fair number of third-and-long situations which the Texans usually had trouble converting.

6. Justin Reid was set to increase his payday on his next contract with his early play. Reid forced a fumble and had an interception in the first half. Unfortunately, Reid would leave the game multiple times with injuries. The knock on Reid has always been his health.

7. The Texans were worn down by the Browns rushing attack all day. Once Cleveland committed to the run they saw the success of their work culminating in a 26-yard scamper by Nick Chubb for a touchdown. The Browns didn't run as much as I excepted them to run early.

8. Tim Kelly had another nice day calling plays. Kelly remains creative in finding ways to get the ball out of Taylor's hands quickly as well as manufacturing matchups where the Texans can win and pick up yards. He even got creative to get Davis Mills a passing touchdown late in the game. Kelly has been very impressive through two games.

9. Andre Roberts was inexcusably bad today. The Texans defense held on the opening drive and his muffed punt eliminated the momentum from the defensive stand. He also had poor returns on kickoffs. His lone job is to be a solid returner, and he failed at that on Sunday.

10. David Culley had a head-scratching decision foregoing an offsides call on a third down. The head coach opted for the result of the third down, and a punt on fourth down, instead of another third down. He did not explain himself well postgame on the decision either.

11. The Texans hung tough and should feel solid about where they could have been without the injury to their quarterback. With no Taylor in the short week, it will not be easy to beat the Panthers who upset the Saints on Sunday.

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