Valero Alamo Bowl Game Preview: Texas Longhorns vs. Colorado Buffaloes
Written by Charlie Beuttel
Twitter: @charlie_cds3
The Alamo Bowl has become a mainstay in the college football bowl schedule every year since 1993. This year’s matchup pits two former Big 12 rivals, Texas and Colorado, against each other, as they battle in the Alamodome in San Antonio. Texas is 3-1 in Alamo Bowl appearances winning in 2006, 2012, and 2019 when they destroyed Utah 38-10. Colorado lost in their only other Alamo Bowl appearance in 2016 when they were crushed by Oklahoma State 38-8.
Texas has won four out of their last five games after starting the season 2-2 to finish 6-3 overall and 5-3 in conference play. The Longhorns last took the field on Dec. 5 against Kansas State when they won 69-31. All season long the questions arose about the future of Tom Herman at the helm of the program but he has received a vote of confidence and will return to the sidelines in 2021.
Colorado played just five regular-season games in a limited schedule as the Buffaloes won their first four against UCLA, Stanford, San Diego State, and Arizona. Colorado then suffered their only defeat to Utah (38-21) on Dec. 12.
Both programs are ready to finish this crazy 2020 season with a bowl victory.
Texas Longhorns vs Colorado Buffaloes
Date: Tuesday, December 29
Game Time: 9 p.m. ET
Location: Alamodome – San Antonio, Texas
TV: ESPN
Spread: Texas -9.5
Texas Overview
Offense
The Longhorns use their balanced offensive attack to score 40.5 points per game by rushing for 183.3 yards and throwing for 274 yards. The leader of the Texas offense is suiting up for the final time against Colorado in quarterback Sam Ehlinger. The senior dual-threat quarterback threw for 2,406 yards and 25 touchdowns while adding 382 yards and eight more scores on the ground.
Texas QB Sam Ehlinger
The Longhorns leading rusher is freshman Bijan Robinson who has 520 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Two weapons in the passing game are junior wide receiver Brennan Eagles, who has caught 28 passes for 469 yards and five touchdowns, and sophomore receiver Joshua Moore, who has 25 catches for 386 and leads the team with seven receiving touchdowns.
Defense
Texas gives up 29.1 points a game while allowing 135.6 rushing yards and 274.2 passing yards per matchup. The big-name on this defensive unit is junior linebacker Joseph Ossai. Ossai has 55 total tackles including 16 for a loss, five sacks, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. Junior defensive back Caden Sterns is the playmaker in the secondary with 52 total tackles including 1.5 for a loss, three pass breakups, and one interception. Another linebacker to watch is junior Demar Overshown, who has 54 total tackles including 7.5 for a loss, two forced fumbles, one interception, and one sack.
Colorado Overview
Offense
The Buffaloes scored 29.6 points a game by gaining 218.4 yards on the ground and 202.6 yards through the air. Senior quarterback Sam Noyer brings a dual-threat factor to this offense as he has thrown for 1,000 yards and six touchdowns and ran for another 191 yards and five more scores on the ground.
Sophomore running back Jarek Broussard led Colorado with 813 rushing yards and had three rushing touchdowns. Two young weapons in the passing game are sophomore receiver Dimitri Stanley, who caught 16 passes for 249 yards and a touchdown, and freshman wideout La’von Shenault. Shenault leads the team with 17 receptions for 193 receiving yards.
Defense
Colorado is allowing 156.8 rushing yards and 220 passing yards per game with 27 points going up on the board. The leading tackler on this defense is senior linebacker Nate Landman, who has 53 total tackles including nine for a loss, four sacks, and one fumble recovery. Junior linebacker Carson Wells also comes up in the clutch as he has chipped in 31 total tackles including 13.5 for a loss, 4.5 sacks, and one interception.
Junior Isaiah Lewis is one of the playmakers in the Buffaloes secondary as he has 25 total tackles including two for a loss, one sack, and seven pass break-ups.
Analysis
Texas has more weapons on offense and have extra motivation as they want to extend their three-game bowl winning streak. The only way Colorado can squeak out a victory is if they can slow down Ehlinger and the Longhorns. The Buffaloes also have a chance if they can utilize their star running back and keep the clock moving with Texas’ offense on the sidelines. Look for Texas to win a close game.
Final Score Prediction: Texas 35, Colorado 24
Photo credit: Dallas Morning News; Texas QB Sam Ehlinger
Photo credit: Colorado Buffaloes Athletics; Colorado RB Jarek Broussard