Dawg Bowl Preview: Texas Bowl Featuring Two Old Foes in Texas A&M and Oklahoma State

'NRG Stadium' Photo Credit: Karen via Flickr

This year's Tax Act Texas Bowl will feature Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys. Also known as simply the Texas Bowl, with a Sponsorship via Tax Act, it was begun in Houston, TX in 2006, replacing the Houston Bowl (2000-2005), and before that, was known as the Bluebonnet Bowl (1959-1987). This annual bowl game features tie-ins with the SEC and Big 12. For more info on the current bowl, click here.

Broadcast Info:

Date/Time: Dec 27, 2023 at 9 PM EST

Location: Houston, Texas in NRG Stadium

TV: ESPN

On the Call: Roy Philpott, Roddy Jones

Radio/Streaming: ESPN Radio Affiliates

What's at Stake?

This rivalry can trace its roots back to 1914, with Texas A&M currently holding an 18 - 9 advantage, and also the winner of the last meeting in 2019 (24 - 21). TAMU Interim Head Coach Elijah Robinson (DC) (has yet to depart for Syracuse), but new Head Coach Mike Elko is sure to be watching. Current Aggie players should probably consider this an audition for next season.

For a solid and seasoned Oklahoma State team, there is a bit of uncertainty to playing this game as the Texas A&M staff is in upheaval, and players transferring or heading to the draft for TAMU, however, having a solid coach and staff should prove beneficial as they are treating it as an extra set of practices and getting some younger players reps.

Transfers- Oklahoma State

RB Jaden Nixon (50 carries, 197 yards, 1 TD; 12 receptions, 123 yards, 1 TD)

WR Jaden Bray (30 receptions, 382 yards, 2 TD)

WR Blaine Green (13 receptions, 102 yards, 0 TD)

QB Gunnar Gundy (21-34, 202 passing yards, 1 TD)

S Nick Session (3 tackles, appeared in 11 games)

Transfers - Texas A&M

WR Evan Stewart (38 catches for 514 yards in eight games)

WR Jordan Anthony (3 catches for 14 yards in 3 games)

TE Jake Johnson (24 catches for 235 yards in 12 games)

DL Isaiah Raikes (17 Tackles and 1 Sack)

CB Deuce Harmon (17 Tackles and 1 INT)

CB Kent Robinson (4 games)

CB Tyreek Chappell (21 Tackles and 1 INT)

S Jardin Gilbert (5 Tackles in 2 games)

Edge Fadill Diggs (36 Tackles and 4 Sacks)

Key Players - Oklahoma State

QB Alex Bowman 270-452 for 3,058 yards, with 13 TDs and 12 INTs

RB Ollie Gordan II 1614 yards on 258 attempts with 20 TDs

LB Nickolas Martin 133 TKL, 77 Solo, 56 AST, 6 Sacks, and 2 INTs

S Cameron Epps 35 TKL, 33 Solo, 12AST, and 2 INTs

Key Players - Texas A&M

QB Max Johnson 118-190 for 1,452 yards with 9 TDs and 5 INTs

WR Ainias Smith 795 Yards on 53 REC with 2TDs

LB Edgerrin Cooper 78 TKL, 40 Solo, 38 AST, 15 TFL, and 10 Sacks

DB Josh DeBerry 38 TKL, 30 Solo, 8 AST, 4 TFL, and 2 INTs

Texas Bowl - Prediction

As the final touches are being put on this preview, one last check reveals Max Johnson will not play as he entered the transfer portal on Wednesday. Ainias Smith is reported to have an injured finger and will not play. TAMU will feature a third-string quarterback (with 3 starts this season) and a bunch of relatively unknown players on the field. Texas has shown promise in the air but will be up against a polished running attack of unanimous All-American, Doak award-winning RB Ollie Gordan ll.

The OSU offense is ranked #39 in the nation against the #9 ranked ATM defense. Vegas and ESPN have ATM winning, however, this guy likes OSU.

Final Score Prediction: OSU 30 - TAMU 20