The first time I attended a football game in Houston was the Bluebonnet Bowl in 1963 when Baylor defeated LSU 14-7, a victory that enabled the Bears to finish an 8-3 season – second in the Southwest Conference to the undefeated, national champion University of Texas Longhorns. 

For all I knew on that cold, crisp, cloudy afternoon at Rice Stadium -- four days shy of Christmas – that, as an 11-year-old, my first trip to Houston to watch a football game would be my last. 

Little did I know I’d end up attending quite a few more football games in Houston, including Baylor vs. LSU in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl on Dec. 31. 

Like every Baylor football fan I know, I’m pumped about the Bears playing the Tigers. Both teams are 8-4, and the Bears closed the season with a six-game winning streak in which they averaged 41.3 points a game. 

Head Coach Dave Aranda, who was the defensive coordinator on LSU’s 2019 national championship team, advanced from a 2-4 record that put him on a seat so hot he couldn’t sit to being praised for a terrific transformation that’s excited and captivated Baylor fans across the Lone Star State, many coming to Houston to see if the Bears can extend their winning streak. 

Since David Fletcher, the general manager of Lone Star Sports & Entertainment,  announced on Sunday that Baylor would be playing LSU this year, the game brought back a museum of memories about my first trip to Houston to see a football game. 

Back in 1963, Head Coach Darrell Royal’s Longhorns dominated the SWC, and they were well on their way to winning their first national championship under their legendary coach. Their toughest challenger that season would be Baylor, led by two All-Americans, quarterback Don Trull and wide receiver Lawrence Elkins. They were one of the most prolific pass-catch combinations in college football.

Trull was so good that season he appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. 

On Nov. 9, Head Coach John Bridgers took the Bears to Austin for one of the biggest games in school history. The Bears were 5-1, and the mighty Longhorns were 7-0. As I did during all Baylor games, I listened to Frank Fallon’s broadcast on my transistor radio. 

When Trull threw a pass in the end zone intended for Elkins, safety Duke Carlisle, who was also UT’s starting quarterback, intercepted to secure a 7-0 victory that kept the Longhorns undefeated. 

And I cried for a week.

After the Longhorns beat Baylor to increase their record to 8-0, I sobbed in the  bedroom I shared with my younger brother. My father came into the bedroom and told me something I’ve never forgotten about being a Baylor fan.

“John Craig,” he said, sadly, “there are three things in life you’ll have to get used to: death, taxes and Texas.” 

And that was the truth until the Longhorns bolted for the SEC. 

It took me a long time to get over that loss to the Bevos. When I look back on that Texas team, I realize there was no shame to lose to the Longhorns, who had one of the best teams in college history. 

The Longhorns’ defense was magnificent in 1963. They limited opponents to seven or fewer points in eight games. They didn’t give up more than 13. They surrendered 6.5 points a game and scored 21.4. 

In the Cotton Bowl, No. 1-ranked Texas played No. 2-ranked Navy and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Roger Staubach. The Longhorns crushed Navy 28-6 to complete a 11-0 season – the first of three national titles they won under Royal. 

The Bears’ consolation prize was the Bluebonnet Bowl against LSU. My father asked if I wanted to attend the game. I wasn’t a stranger to Houston with what seemed like its endless freeways, mind-boggling traffic jams and stifling humidity. Beginning in 1962, our family came to Houston once each summer to watch the Colt 45’s, which fueled my lifelong fascination with the Astros.

We went to Houston hoping and praying for the Bears to beat the Tigers. Back then – as it is today – LSU had one of the best and most successful football programs. The Tigers went from Paul Dietzel with his Chinese Bandits to Charles “Cholly Mac” McLendon – one legendary head coach to another. 

Like the Bears, LSU entered the game with a 7-3 record. The Tigers scored first, a touchdown in the first quarter, but they wouldn’t score again. 

Led by a ferocious defense and Trull living up to his All-American reputation, the Bears scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter on his touchdown passes to wide receiver James Ingram.

Trull, who would move on to a seven-year career in the NFL, including six with the Oilers, completed 26-of-37 for 255 yards. The Bears generated 394 yards and limited the Tigers to 108, including 13 passing. Trull’s impressive performance helped restore my faith in the Bears. 

I couldn’t wait to read stories about Baylor’s victory written by Dave Campbell, sports editor at the Waco Tribune-Herald. I still pinch myself when I think about Campbell hiring me as a sportswriter 10 years after that Bluebonnet Bowl, jump starting what’s been a 52-year career in this business. 

To close out this year, my 49th as a sportswriter in Houston, I’d be happy with another seven-point victory over LSU in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl. Shoot, I’d be excited for a one-point victory. I’d love a repeat of the last time Baylor played in a Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium – a 45-38 victory over Vanderbilt in 2018.

But if the Bears do lose to LSU to snap their winning streak, I won’t be bawling like I did after losses in 1963. Today, I don’t cry, I just cuss when Baylor loses.

HOUSTON – LSU and Baylor have accepted bids to play in the 2024 Kinder’s Texas Bowl, the bowl organizing committee announced today. The 2024 Kinder’s Texas Bowl will be played at 2:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday, December 31, at NRG Stadium, in Houston. The 19th edition of the bowl will be televised nationally on ESPN and simulcast on ESPN+ with national radio coverage on Bowl Season Radio and a local radio broadcast available on SportsRadio 610 (KILT-AM). This season marks the 11th year of the Big 12 versus SEC matchup in the game. Tickets and suites are now available for purchase https://www.kinderstexasbowl.com/ 

“We are fired up to announce the 2024 Kinder’s Texas Bowl between the LSU Tigers and the Baylor Bears, two prestigious institutions from the SEC and Big 12,” remarked Kinder’s Texas Bowl Executive Director David Fletcher. “The Bowl is historically one of the largest annual events in our community and this year’s game is no exception.  We look forward to welcoming LSU, Baylor and college football fans from throughout the region to Houston for a week of Texas-themed events that will culminate in a New Year’s Eve showdown at NRG Stadium on December 31.” 

LSU will represent the Southeastern Conference, while Baylor will represent the Big 12 Conference. The two programs have met 11 times before, with their most recent matchup coming in the 1985 Liberty Bowl when Baylor defeated LSU, 21-7, on December 27, 1985. The 2024 Kinder’s Texas Bowl will mark the Tigers third appearance in the bowl and their first since the 2021 season. The Bears will also make their third appearance in the Bowl after most recently being selected in 2018. 

LSU enters the game riding a 2-game winning streak and with an 8-4 overall mark following wins over Vanderbilt and Oklahoma to close out the regular-season. LSU went 5-3 in SEC play with key wins over Ole Miss and South Carolina. Overall, LSU faced 10 bowl-eligible teams this year, winning seven of those games. Offensively, the Tigers feature one of the nation’s top passing games led by junior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who has thrown for 3,735 yards and 26 touchdowns. Nussmeier’s 312 completions this year leads the SEC and ranks No. 2 all-time in LSU history, while his 3,735 passing yards rank No. 2 in the league and third in school history. The Tiger offense features three 50-catch receivers paced by Kyren Lacy (58 rec., 866 yards, 9 TDs). Running backs Caden Durham and Josh Williams have combined to rush for 1,133 yards and 11 touchdowns. Defensively, linebacker Whit Weeks is among the finest at his position nationally and leads the Tigers with 119 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss. Edge rusher Bradyn Swinson ranks among the SEC leaders in both sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (13.0). Head coach Brian Kelly, in his third season with the Tigers, is the winningest active NCAA coach with 313 career victories. Since taking over at LSU in 2022, Kelly has guided the Tigers to a 28-11 mark, which includes 17 SEC regular-season wins, the third-most in the league over that span trailing only Georgia (22) and Alabama (19). He’s been named National Coach of the Year three times and will be leading a team to a bowl appearance for the 18th time. 

Baylor enters the Kinder’s Texas Bowl having won six-straight games to conclude the regular season for the first time in program history, sporting an 8-4 (6-3 Big 12 Conference) record. This marks Baylor's 12th bowl berth in the last 15 years and its first trip to Houston since besting Vanderbilt in the 2018 Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl. The Bears have rolled through the last half of their schedule by utilizing one of the nation's top offensive attacks, a well-balanced approach that ranks No. 5 or 6 in yards per game, yards per play and points per game over the last two months. Powering the Baylor offensive attack has been the nation's No. 5 rated quarterback, junior Sawyer Robertson, who leads the Big 12 in QBR and has slung 26 TDs, the sixth-most in single-season BU history, while starting the last 10 games of the year. Running back Bryson Washington has also powered the offense, rushing for a Baylor freshman-record 1,004 yards and 12 TDs in just 10 games, ranking third among all FBS freshmen in both categories. Defensively, fifth-year head coach Dave Aranda - known as one of the top defensive minds in football for the last 15 years - is in his first season calling defensive plays and coaching inside linebackers, with his two linebackers becoming the first LB duo in program history to each earn first-team All-Big 12 honors in the same season. Matt Jones and Keaton Thomas each topped over 100 tackles, a first for a BU linebacker duo since 2012. Aranda is a former national coach of the year after leading the Bears to a 12-2 record and the Big 12 and Sugar Bowl titles in 2021. 

In the 2023 Texas Bowl, Oklahoma State claimed a 31-23 victory over Texas A&M. Cowboys WR Rashod Owens earned MVP honors after recording 10 receptions for 164 yards and two touchdowns. The game welcomed 55,212 fans to NRG Stadium and had a total live audience of 3.2 million viewers.

Through the years, the Kinder’s Texas Bowl has been a tremendous success both on and off the field. Since 2014, the game is the most attended Bowl in the country outside of the bowls included in the College Football Playoff games. The Bowl has also generated an average of over $30 million annually for the Houston economy and has contributed over $2.5 million in financial support to DePelchin Children’s Center, the Bowl’s official charitable beneficiary and oldest children’s charity organizations in Houston. 

Entering its 19th year, the Kinder’s Texas Bowl is owned and operated by ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, and managed locally by Lone Star Sports & Entertainment, an event management company founded in 2003 that is closely affiliated with the NFL’s Houston Texans.

For more information about the game, priority access to tickets and Bowl week experiences, fans can visit https://www.kinderstexasbowl.com/ or follow along on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

 About Kinder’s

Kinder’s is a leading provider of premium quality sauces, seasonings and other products for home cooks to bring restaurant-quality flavors to life in their own kitchens.  Founded in 1946 by John Kinder, a WWII Navy veteran, Kinder’s has been obsessed with crafting amazing flavors that can help anyone, regardless of their skill in the kitchen, make incredible meals that will wow family and friends.  Today, Kinder’s offers a wide range of products including BBQ sauce, wing sauce, premium seasoning blends and rubs, crispy coatings, stuffing, gravy, and more.  Kinder’s is available at leading retailers across all 50 states and is now sold in more than 20 countries across the world. 

For more information, visit www.kinders.com. 

About ESPN Events

ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a portfolio of collegiate sporting events nationwide. In 2024, the 34-event schedule includes four early-season college football kickoff games, 17 college bowl games, 10 college basketball events, the premiere regular season college softball and gymnastics events, as well as the Band of the Year National Championship. Collectively, these events account for over 400 hours of live programming on ESPN platforms, reaching 60 million viewers and attracting more than 650,000 annual attendees. Each year, the portfolio of events features more than 20 Division I conferences and hosts over 4,000 participating student-athletes. With satellite offices in more than 10 cities across the country, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans. 

Follow ESPN Events on Facebook, X/Twitter and YouTube 

About Lone Star Sports & Entertainment

Lone Star Sports & Entertainment is an event management company founded in 2003 that is closely affiliated with the NFL’s Houston Texans. Since its founding, LSSE has established itself as the leading sports event promoter in Houston. In addition to producing annual college football events such as the Texas Bowl and Texas Kickoff, LSSE has emerged as a premier promoter for international soccer matches, including the Copa de Lone Star, Copa America Centenario, the 2010 MLS All-Star Game, the 2006 FC Barcelona U.S. tour, the International Champions Cup, the 2003 and 2008 matches between the United States and Mexico, a venue-leading seven Concacaf Gold Cups including 2023, and the 2023 Soccer Champions Tour featuring Real Madrid vs. Manchester United.

Media Contacts

Lone Star Sports & Entertainment: Ryan Galbierz (ryan.galbierz@houstontexans.com; 832-610-0218)

Kinder’s: Navid Niakan (navid@kinders.com)

ESPN Communications: Danny Chi (danny.c.chi@espn.com)

HOUSTON – Lone Star Sports and Entertainment and ESPN Events have announced Kinder’s, a leading provider of premium quality sauces and seasonings, as the new title sponsor of the Texas Bowl.  Kinder’s has devoted over 75 years to crafting award-winning flavors including BBQ and wing sauces as well premium seasonings and rubs.

The 2024 Kinder’s Texas Bowl will be played at 2:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday, December 31, at NRG Stadium, in Houston. The 19th edition of the bowl will be televised nationally on ESPN and simulcast on ESPN+ with national radio coverage on ESPN Radio and a local radio broadcast available on SportsRadio 610 (KILT-AM). This season marks the 11th year of the Big 12 versus SEC matchup in the game.

“We are beyond excited to announce our partnership with the Texas Bowl,” said Kinder’s Co-CEO & Chief Brand Officer Jim Hart. “At Kinder’s we appreciate the kind of obsession it takes for these athletes and coaches to get to this level.  We aspire to the bring that same passion and commitment to everything we make and it is a privilege to be part of providing the stage for them to showcase their incredible talents.  Our sponsorship of the Texas Bowl is part of our broader commitment to college football, which includes our recent partnership with the College Football Playoff to become the Official Sauce and Seasoning of the CFP.  We feel incredibly fortunate to be a small part of this community of talented athletes and coaches and passionate fans.  And we’re fired up for what is sure to be some amazing football!”

“We are thrilled to welcome Kinder’s to our family here in Houston as the title sponsor of the Kinder’s Texas Bowl,” said Lone Star Sports & Entertainment General Manager David Fletcher. “Everything is bigger in Texas, especially the passion for food, family and football, so to have an opportunity to work with a partner like Kinder’s who values each of those to further enhance the experience for fans, teams and our community, it is truly special.  We look forward to tremendous showdown between the Big 12 and SEC out here at NRG Stadium on December 31st in the 2024 Kinder’s Texas Bowl.”

Through the years, the Kinder’s Texas Bowl has been a tremendous success both on and off the field. Since 2014, the game is the most attended Bowl in the country outside of the bowls included in the College Football Playoff games. The Bowl has also generated an average of over $30 million annually for the Houston economy and has contributed over $2.5 million in financial support to DePelchin Children’s Center, the Bowl’s official charitable beneficiary and oldest children’s charity organizations in Houston. 

Entering its 19th year, the Kinder’s Texas Bowl is owned and operated by ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, and managed locally by Lone Star Sports & Entertainment, an event management company founded in 2003 that is closely affiliated with the NFL’s Houston Texans. 

For more information about the game, priority access to tickets and Bowl week experiences, fans can visit https://www.kinderstexasbowl.com/ or follow along on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Lone Star Player of the Week Candidates

Georgia QB Carson Beck - In perhaps the game of the season, Beck drove the Dawgs back from behind for a 44-42 win in EIGHT OVERTIMES over rival Georgia Tech. Beck was 28 of 43 for 297 yards and five touchdowns in the win. Beck spread the wealth throughout the game, completing at least two passes to TEN different pass catchers.

 

Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter - The future Heisman winner had ten catches for 116 yards and three touchdowns, one tackle and one interception in a blowout 52-0 win over Oklahoma State. Hunter wrapped up the Heisman with his performance. It was his third nine reception/one interception game of the season.

 

Colorado QB Shadeur Sanders - Oklahoma State stood no chance against the Buffaloes as Colorado dominated the Cowboys 52-0 for win number nine. Sanders completed 34 of 41 passes for 438 yards and five touchdowns.

-------------------------------

Rivalry Week went about as expected. Chaos in every corner of the room. Fights over flag planting. Road upsets. Intriguing football all over the country. What a weekend it was and what a season it’s been! Let’s review the final regular season weekend then look forward to the final weekend of the season - Championship Weekend.

 

YES! Let’s GO!

 

Kinder's Texas Bowl Team of the Week - Colorado - The Buffaloes were polarizing at Big 12 Media Days and after scuffling past North Dakota State and losing to Nebraska, it didn’t appear the Buffaloes had much of a chance to get to bowl eligibility. However, Coach Prime’s squad won eight of ten to end the season, including a 52-0 smashing of Oklahoma State in Boulder. The Buffaloes won’t make the college football playoff, but the turnaround was fantastic to watch.

 

Kinder’s Texas Bowl Honorable mention Team of the Week - Arizona State - It’s hard to imagine a team coming more out of nowhere than Kenny Dillingham’s Sun Devils. His squad was voted last in the Big 12 out in Vegas at Media Days but will play in the Big 12 title game in Arlington this weekend against Iowa State. Last year, Arizona beat the Sun Devils by 36, but last weekend, the Sun Devils beat Arizona by 42, a 78 point turnaround.

 

Kinder's Texas Bowl Player of the Week - Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter - The future Heisman winner had ten catches for 116 yards and three touchdowns, one tackle and one interception in a blowout 52-0 win over Oklahoma State. Hunter wrapped up the Heisman with his performance. It was his third nine reception/one interception game of the season.

 

Kinder's Texas Bowl Honorable mention Player of the Week  - Georgia QB Carson Beck - In perhaps the game of the season, Beck drove the Dawgs back from behind for an eight overtime 44-42 win over rival Georgia Tech. Beck was 28 of 43 for 297 yards and five touchdowns in the win. Beck spread the wealth throughout the game, completing at least two passes to TEN different pass catchers.

 

National Team of the Week - Michigan - No one. NO ONE saw this coming. The Wolverines won three straight over Ohio State in years 2021 - 2023, but in one of the toughest years in Michigan’s recent history, it appeared to be a fait accompli that Ohio State would end that streak. It didn’t. Michigan’s defense dominated the Buckeyes in one of the most frenetic games in recent B1G history. Michigan RB Kalel Mullings ran 32 times for 116 yards and a touchdown to lead the Wolverines to an unimaginable fourth win in a row over Ryan Day’s Buckeyes. 

 

Honorable Mention National Team of the Week - Syracuse - Miami, FL was headed to the ACC Championship game. All it had to do was beat the Orange in the JMA Dome and Cam Ward and company would head to Charlotte to play SMU. But, a funny thing happened on Saturday, though. Syracuse clipped the Canes and ended their regular season in western New York. Ironically, on the day that Ohio State lost to Michigan, former Buckeye/current Syracuse QB Kyle McCord lit up the Canes secondary, completing 26 of 36 passes for 380 yards and three touchdowns in the Cuse’s upset win.

 

National Player of the Week - Notre Dame S Xavier Watts - The Irish have played sublime football lately but it was the defense showing up in a big way in the 49-35 win over USC. Watts had nine tackles, a PBU, a QB hurry and a 100-yard pick six to lead the Irish defense last Saturday.

 

Honorable mention National Player of the Week - Penn State TE Tyler Warren - Colorado star WR Travis Hunter gets all of the multi-use attention, but Warren is just as versatile. OC Andy Kotelnicki seems to have created 1000 different ways to get Warren the ball. On Saturday in the 44-7 blowout win over Maryland, Warren completed one pass for nine yards, ran three times for over a ten yard average and caught six receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown.

 

Championship Week Matchups

#2 (11-1) Texas v #5 (10-2) Georgia - It’s a rematch of Texas’ only loss this season, back in Austin, when Texas was the number one team in the country. In that matchup, the Texas OL couldn’t block either Jalon Walker or Mykel Williams and the Texas offense went into shut down mode. Texas handled Texas A&M in College Station to earn a trip to Atlanta in its first year in the SEC, while Georgia is playing in its fourth straight SEC Championship game.

 

#8 (11-1) SMU v #17 (9-3) Clemson - It was supposed to be Miami and SMU meeting in Charlotte, but Miami, FL’s defense couldn’t stop Kyle McCord and the Syracuse offense. As a result, Dabo’s Tigers backed into this championship game, even after getting upset by state rival South Carolina in Death Valley last Saturday. SMU might be the most underrated team in the country and it gets a national opportunity to show the nation it’s worthy of top four status on Saturday night.

 

#1 (12-0) Oregon v. #3 (11-1) Penn State - Similar to the ACC Championship, this matchup was supposed to be Oregon v. Ohio State, but Ohio State’s defense couldn’t tackle Michigan RB Kalel Mullings in the fourth quarter. So, it’s an intriguing Penn State team stepping into the void in Indianapolis to take on the Ducks, the only undefeated team in FBS. Both teams should have a spot in the playoffs, but a win will lock up a first round bye.

 

#15 (10-2) Arizona State v. #16 (10-2) Iowa State - At the start of the season, no one could’ve imagined that either of these teams would play for a Big 12 title. Of all of the various matchups that COULD’VE taken place in Arlington, this one was not high up on the “yeah, it could happen” scale. But, BUT, I love these two coaches and these teams are more than deserving of being in Arlington for this game.

 

Kinder's Texas Bowl Potential teams

Big 12 candidates

(8-4) Baylor - Dave Aranda’s squad is one of the hottest teams in the nation and a trip to Houston would be super fun because…the Bears OFFENSE is lights out…FIVE Ws in a row.

(8-4) Texas Tech - The Red Raiders were in the bowl just two years ago and it was entertaining as all get out. Bring ‘em back!

(8-4) TCU - The Horned Frogs were supposed to be in the Texas Bowl in 2020, but COVID…so let’s bring them back four years later. Like TT and Baylor, the Horned Frogs can put up points in bunches.

(8-4) Kansas State - the Purple Wildcats have dominated the Texas Bowl in recent trips and this fan base will travel to Houston.

 

SEC candidates

(8-4) LSU - Any time that the Texas Bowl can have a shot at LSU but with eight wins and more than likely three SEC teams in the playoff, it might be tough to land LSU.

(78-5) Florida - The Gators got to bowl eligibility last week, beat FSU to end the regular season and have a true freshman star QB from just outside the Houston area. I’m intrigued.

(6-6) Arkansas - It was supposed to be Arkansas-TCU in 2020, so I’m all for bringing it back in 2024…without the COVID. Hogs fans seem to love Houston and that works for me.

 

(6-6) Oklahoma - The Texas Bowl has never truly had a shot at the Sooners, but now in the SEC, Oklahoma could be a fit, but will the fans travel to see the Sooners after a tough year?

Lone Star Player of the Week Candidates

Kansas RB Devin Neal  - Over the past three weeks, the Jayhawks beat three straight ranked teams, but this last one wouldn’t have taken place with one of the best individual offensive performances in college football this year. In the Jayhawks win over Colorado, Neal ran 37 times for 207 yards and three touchdowns; that makes seven in the last three games. Plus, he had 80 yards receiving on four catches, with one TD - a total of 287 yards and four TDs in Kansas 37-21 win over #23 Colorado.

 

Auburn WR Cam Coleman - The true freshman torched Texas A&M throughout the Tigers’ four overtime win on the Plains. He finished with seven catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Nearly every single catch was of the highlight variety as Coleman showed exactly why he was one of the most sought after pass catchers in the 2024 recruiting class.

 

Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins - The 31-28 win over Utah was buoyed by one of the most talented wide receivers in the Big 12. Higgins finished with nine catches for 155 yards and a touchdown and kept Iowa State’s Big 12 Championship game hopes alive, nearly single handedly.

-------------------------------

Rivalry Week is finally here and one of the greatest of all-time gets renewed for the first time in 13 years. Oh, yeah, and Texas and Texas A&M are playing for a spot in the SEC Championship game. It already had intrigue just because it’s the first time these hated rivals have met since 2011. Now, it’s the most important game in the SEC in week 14, and maybe the nation, with SEC Championship game stakes at hand.

 

With UT/A&M leading the way, this should be a wild and fantastic Rivalry Week after what was one of the wildest weeks of the year last week in week 13. We’ll look back at week 13, then look ahead to week 14, in addition to trying to figure out the potential Texas Bowl participants

 

Texas Bowl Team of the Week - Oklahoma - Anyone that said they saw the Sooners beating Alabama was just fooling themselves. Anyone that said they saw Oklahoma blowing out the Crimson Tide was lying to everyone. NO ONE saw the Sooners pulling off a 24-3 win over Alabama, but that’s exactly what head coach Brent Venables’ team did on Saturday night.  QB Jackson Arnold and true freshman RB Xavier Robinson both ran for 100+ yards and Robinson had two TDs. LB Kip Lewis had another pick six and the Sooners got to bowl eligibility with their sixth win.

 

Texas Bowl Honorable mention Team of the Week - Florida - The Gators have gotten better and better in the 2024 season and that rise has coincided with the rise of true freshman D.J. Lagway. With Lagway under center, the Gators upset #9 Ole Miss 24-17 in the Swamp as the defense picked off Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart twice and took advantage of every break to grind out a win. Head coach Billy Napier got a vote of confidence two weeks ago and the Gators responded by beating LSU and Ole Miss in back-to-back weeks.

 

Texas Bowl Player of the Week - Kansas RB Devin Neal  - Over the past three weeks, the Jayhawks beat three straight ranked teams, but this last one wouldn’t have taken place with one of the best individual offensive performances in college football this year. In the Jayhawks win over Colorado, Neal ran 37 times for 207 yards and three touchdowns; that makes seven in the last three games. Plus, he had 80 yards receiving on four catches, with one TD - a total of 287 yards and four TDs in Kansas 37-21 win over #23 Colorado.

 

Texas Bowl Honorable mention Player of the Week  - Arizona State’s triplets - The Sun Devils continued their improbable run to a potential Big 12 Championship game/CFP opportunity. QB Sam Leavitt threw for 247 yards and a touchdown, while RB Cam Skattebo ran for 147 yards and three TD and WR Jordyn Tyson had another brilliant game, catching nine passes for 125 yards in a 28-23 win over #14 BYU. These three have been incredible throughout the entire season, but, in particular, the past two months. A win over Arizona in the finale will put Arizona State, somewhat improbably, in the Big 12 Championship game.

 

National Team of the Week - SMU - The Mustangs have gone from ACC newcomer to ACC powerhouse and that was evident in SMU’s blowout victory in Charlottesville over UVa. QB Kevin Jennings threw for 323 yards and a pair of TDs but the defense starred, holding UVa without points until the four minute mark of the fourth quarter. SMU locked up a spot in the ACC Championship game as a result as the Mustangs aim to win its conference title in two different conferences in two years.

 

Honorable Mention National Team of the Week - Notre Dame - The Irish hammered Army right out of the gate and never stopped. RB Jeremiyah Love had just seven carries but he averaged nearly 20 yards per carry and had two touchdowns as well in the 49-14 win over #19 Army. The Irish defense made Army work for every single yard and slowed the Army offense unlike at any point in the 2024 season. Notre Dame is playing as well as any team in the nation right now. USC is up next!

 

National Player of the Week - Illinois WR Pat Bryant - What an ending in Rutgers! With fourteen seconds remaining on fourth down and 13, Illinois QB Luke Altmyer hit his #13 Bryant for an improbable 40-yard TD to give Illinois its eighth win of the year. Bryant was tremendous, yet again, seven catches for 197 yards and one unreal TD. Bryant has been brilliant all year, but this was his best performance of a great season.

 

Honorable mention National Player of the Week - Cal QB Fernando Mendoza - The Cal gunslinger completed 25 of 36 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns in a comeback win over rival Stanford. He led a comeback from down 21-7, driving Cal 98 yards in 11 plays for the game winning TD. In fact, he threw two TD to Jonathan Brady in the last ten minutes to lead Cal to a win and bowl eligibility.

 

Quick Kudos

…to Kansas for not giving up on the season when the Jayhawks were getting blasted for underachieving through the first eight weeks of the season. Then, the Jayhawks beat Colorado, a third win over a ranked team in as many weeks.

 

…to Arizona State for staying on this miraculous run. Even though the Sun Devil faithful celebrated just a few seconds early, they had plenty to celebrate.

 

…to Auburn for beating Texas A&M in four overtimes.

 

…to Miami, FL’s defense for keeping Wake Forest off the board in the second half. FINALLY, it showed up before it was too late.

 

…to Penn State for hanging on for a one point win against Minnesota.

 

…to Ohio State for putting Indiana right back in its place, so to speak.

 

…to Kennesaw State for a second FBS win in the last five weeks.

 

Week 14’s Big games

#3 (10-1) Texas at #15 (8-3) Texas A&M - Yeah, this one is big, like REALLY BIG! It’s the first time that the two Texas rivals have met since 2011 and the winner earns a trip to Atlanta for the SEC Championship game. It’s the hottest ticket in the nation and for good reason.

 

#18 (8-3) South Carolina at #17 (9-2) Clemson - This matchup didn’t look like much more than just a sexy rivalry game to end the season, but after the CFP rankings came out on Tuesday night, a playoff opportunity could be in play for the winner. South Carolina can’t play in the SEC Championship game, but a win could catapult them into the conversation for an at-large playoff bid. A Clemson win, a Miami loss and the Tigers would head into the ACC Championship game…with a strong win over a strong SEC squad.

 

Texas Bowl Potential teams

Big 12 candidates

(7-4) Baylor - Dave Aranda’s squad is one of the hottest teams in the nation and a trip to Houston would be super fun because…the Bears OFFENSE is lights out.

(7-4) Texas Tech - The Red Raiders were in the bowl just two years ago and it was entertaining as all get out.

(7-4) TCU - The Horned Frogs were supposed to be in the Texas Bowl in 2020, but COVID…so let’s bring them back four years later. Like TT and Baylor, the Horned Frogs can put up points in bunches.

 

SEC candidates

(7-4) LSU - Any time that the Texas Bowl can have a shot at LSU, the Texas Bowl will take LSU. An 8-4 LSU team might be pulled in a different direction though, so we’ll see what happens.

(6-5) Florida - The Gators got to bowl eligibility last week and have a true freshman star QB from just outside the Houston area. I’m intrigued.

(6-5) Arkansas - It was supposed to be Arkansas-TCU in 2020, so I’m all for bringing it back in 2024…without the COVID.

 

(6-5) Oklahoma - The Texas Bowl has never truly had a shot at the Sooners, but now in the SEC, Oklahoma might be a great fit, regardless of winning at LSU or not.

Lone Star Player of the Week Candidates

Texas DB Jahdae Barron - The Longhorns’ Jim Thorpe Award DB of the Week put on a show in Fayetteville against the Razorbacks. He had seven tackles, 1.0 sacks, 2.0 TFL, an interception, one QB Hurry and one pass breakup in the Longhorns gritty 20-10 win over Arkansas.

 

Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson - Tyson’s performance against UCF in week 11 was just a precursor of what he did against #16 Kansas State in week 12. He had another two TD performance, but this time he snatched 12 passes for 176 yards and broke hearts on the road in Manhattan.

 

Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter - The Heisman candidate continued to bolster his resume with another wide ranging stat line and viral YouTube moments. The numbers? He had one carry for a five yard touchdown, in addition to five catches for 55 yards. He had three tackles and one interception as well. The YouTube moment? That catch on fourth down? Ridiculous.

-------------------------------

The CFB season is winding down, but the drama is heating up in conferences all across the country. A decent handful of teams reached bowl eligibility this past week, yet a few realized that the 12th game will be the end of their respective 2024 season.

 

The Dawgs came back barking after an embarrassing loss to Ole Miss in week 11, while the upper crust of college football held on, including Oregon’s nailbiter at Wisconsin. Let’s take a look back at Week 12, prepare for week 13 and examine who might have a shot at the Texas Bowl in five to six weeks or so.

 

Texas Bowl Team of the Week - Georgia - In the biggest game in the country, the Dawgs came out in the second half and dominated the game. QB Carson Beck found his groove, finally, as he got time to throw against the vaunted Tennessee defense. Then, the Georgia defense physically changed the game in the second half. That second half was the finest 30 minutes the Dawgs have played since beating Clemson in Atlanta to start the season.

 

Texas Bowl Honorable mention Team of the Week - Arizona State - The Sun Devils jumped out front of #16 Kansas State in Manhattan 21-0 in the first half and never looked back. WR Jordyn Tyson did a whole lot better than his elder namesake Mike Tyson, reeling in 12 passes for 176 yards and two TD. Jordyn (not Mike) has been as good as ever down the stretch of what has been a magical season for the Sun Devils.They went on to win 24-14 and kept their hopes alive for a Big 12 Championship berth.

 

Texas Bowl Player of the Week - The Longhorns’ Jim Thorpe Award DB of the Week put on a show in Fayetteville against the Razorbacks. He had seven tackles, 1.0 sacks, 2.0 TFL, an interception, one QB Hurry and one pass breakup in the Longhorns gritty 20-10 win over Arkansas.

 

Texas Bowl Honorable mention Player of the Week  - Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson - Tyson’s performance against UCF in week 11 was just a precursor of what he did against #16 Kansas State. He had another two TD performance, but this time he snatched 12 passes for 176 yards and broke hearts on the road in Manhattan.

 

National Team of the Week - Stanford - I don’t know how you put into words HOW Stanford beat #19 Louisville on Saturday afternoon on The Farm. Miraculous? Stupendous? Ridiculous? Either way, the Cardinal trailed 35-28 with :48 seconds left, a backup QB in the game and an L all but assured. However, after Emmett Mosley V’s 25-yard TD catch, a fourth down stop with four seconds remaining, a 15-yard penalty on Louisville with one second left, a five yard penalty on a 57-yard field goal attempt and a 52-yard made FG by Emmet Kenney, the Cardinal pulled a magical win from the proverbial jaws of defeat.

 

Honorable Mention National Team of the Week - New Mexico - The Lobos program was mired in the muck last year after another losing campaign. Enter Bronco Mendenhall who’s given the program a jolt. On Saturday night, the Lobos gave #18 Washington State a jolt, knocking the Cougars, more than likely, out of a possible CFP berth. QB Devon Dampier was ridiculously good - 174 yards passing and a touchdown, 193 yards rushing and three touchdowns in a 38-35 upset win over the Cougars. In a battle with WSU QB John Mateer (375 yards passing, 65 yards rushing and five total TDs) Dampier took home the hardware and the win.

 

National Player of the Week - Clemson DE T.J. Parker - All Tomorrion “T.J.” Parker did on Saturday was ruin the Pitt Panthers offensive scheme all day at Acrisure Stadium. He finished with 4.0 sacks, 5.0 TFL, a PBU and a forced fumble in Clemson’s come from behind win. No FBS pass rusher has had more sacks in a game this year and his 5.0 TFLs were the most for a Clemson player in seven years, tied for the most for any FBS player in a game in 2024.

 

Honorable mention National Player of the Week (tie) - Penn State TE Tyler Warren - All Warren did in Penn State’s blowout 49-10 win over Purdue was snag eight receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown, tack on three rushes for 63 yards, including a 48-yard TD run, the longest of his career. Over the last 48 years, Warren is the only B1G TE with four rushing TDs in a season. That 48-yard sprint to the house was a beaut for the most diverse player in the B1G.

 

&

 

New Mexico QB Devon Dampier - Dampier was ridiculously good - 174 yards passing and a touchdown, 193 yards rushing and three touchdowns - in a 38-35 upset win over the Cougars at home in Albuquerque. In a battle with WSU QB John Mateer (375 yards passing, 65 yards rushing and five total TDs) Dampier took home the hardware and the win. Those two QBs put on a damn SHOW!

 

Quick Kudos

…to SMU LB Kobe Wilson, ACC Defensive LB of the Week, who had a career-high 16 tackles in SMU’s tough win over Boston College.

 

…to Kansas for ruining BYU’s undefeated season in Provo. The Jayhawks got some help from BYU, but you make your own breaks and Kansas finally got one to go their way this time.

 

…to Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty for his 159 yards and three TD, giving him 1,893 yards and 26 TD in ten games, in a win over San Jose State. Could the Broncos get a bye in the CFP?

 

…to Coach Prime and the CU Buffaloes. My goodness, what a string of performances this year, culminating with one of their best in a blowout win over Utah.

 

…to South Carolina for another late fourth quarter magic show. Rocket Sanders 15-yard shovel pass TD gave the Gamecocks win number seven on the season.

 

…to Billy Napier and the Florida Gators for a massively impressive 27-16 win over LSU

 

…to Tulane for its blowout win over 7-3 Navy 35-0. The Green Wave are one of the hottest teams in the nation.

 

…to my man K.C. Keeler for his eighth win of the season, an OT CUSA win on the road at Kennesaw State, keeping CUSA Championship game hopes alive.

 

…to Dave Aranda and Baylor for their fourth straight win, this time on the road at West Virginia, scoring 49 in the process. Give me RB Bryson Washington all day, every day.

 

…to North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton for a 35 carry/244 yard/one TD day against Wake Forest. He was superb all day long.

 

Week 13’s Big games

#5 (10-0) Indiana at #2 (9-1) Ohio State - It’s the second most difficult test of the season for the Buckeyes with Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers coming to town. Those same Hoosiers are coming off of a bye week, Cignetti got a new contract extension and they’re playing with HOUSE money…just don’t tell them that. Cignetti’s Hoosiers are probably mad that they’re underdogs.

 

#6 (9-1) BYU at (8-2) Arizona State - On the schedule earlier in the campaign, this matchup looked like any old late season matchup, not a ton of juice for a few teams still growing and finding themselves. But, BUT, things have changed significantly in 2024 as this game in Tempe turns into some sort of play-in to the Big 12 Championship game. I LOVE seeing teams take THE LEAP as both have done this year in the Big 12.

 

#24 (9-0) Army v. #8 (9-1) Notre Dame - Yankee Stadium - Oh, man, throwin’ it back to a time when these teams met in Yankee Stadium, in the 40s, as the two best teams in the nation. They are a combined 18-1 and the one is on the Irish side, not Army’s. This is as fun a game as there is in college football ANY week, much less just this week. I don’t know what even happens if Army knocks off Notre Dame and how that plays into the CFP, but I’d love to find out if the Black Knights can do the unthinkable.

 

Texas Bowl Potential teams

Big 12 candidates

(6-4) Baylor - The Bears earned bowl eligibility with an impressive win at West Virginia. Dave Aranda’s crew withstood a difficult loss to the Colorado Buffaloes on a Hail Mary earlier this year and has won four in a row with two left to play.

 

(6-4) TCU - The Horned Frogs have been equal parts “brilliant” and “needs improvement” throughout the 2024 campaign. There’s a great chance for a split and a 7-5 finish for Spike Dykes’ TCU squad.

 

(6-4) Texas Tech - The Red Raiders might be one of the top ten more entertaining squads in all of college football. When they line up on Saturdays, there’s no telling what’s going to happen…and that always makes them intriguing for a bowl game.

 

Some work to do…

(4-6) Houston - the Cougars would be a perfect fit in the Texas Bowl, but need to sweep Baylor at home and BYU on the road. Tough one.

 

(4-6) UCF - one of the most talented 4-6 teams in the country, if there is such a thing, needs two wins - @ West Virginia and then at home at Utah.

 

SEC candidates

(6-4) LSU - The Texas Bowl loves having LSU in the bowl game and at 6-4, with eight teams with better conference and/or overall records, there’s a chance that LSU could be available.

 

(6-4) Vanderbilt - Now, I would love to see Vanderbilt in Houston for the first time and QB Diego Pavia would add some sauce to a Texas Bowl matchup for sure.

 

(5-5) Arkansas - The Hogs should beat La. Tech this weekend to get to bowl eligibility, but a tough road game at Missouri awaits in the final week of the season.

 

Some work to do…

(5-5) Oklahoma - All Oklahoma needs is one win for bowl eligibility, so what’s it going to be - a win over Alabama at home in Norman or on the road at LSU. Oh man, that’s tough!

 

(5-5) Florida - Billy Napier’s Gators have rebounded in a season when EVERYONE has been injured, or so it seems, to get back in bowl contention. But, it’ll take upsetting the hottest team in the SEC Ole Miss in Gainesville or beating rival Florida State in Tallahassee on the road.

Lone Star Player of the Week Candidates

Auburn RB Jarquez Hunter - 23 carries for 278 yards, two touchdowns, four receptions for 19 yards in a 24-10 win at Kentucky.

 Texas A&M DB B.J. Mayes - He picked off LSU star QB Garrett Nussmeier twice and added two tackles in the Aggies’ impressive 38-23 win over #8 ranked LSU.

 Ole Miss DE Suntarine Perkins - Ole Miss came up with ten sacks of Oklahoma quarterbacks and Perkins led the way with 4.0 sacks, 5.0 TFL and 11 tackles. Perkins’ sack total was the most for a Rebel defender in 31 years.

 -------------------------------

Week nine in college football might have been the most normal week of the entire season. Well, with the exception of winless Kennesaw State beating undefeated Liberty…and well, Houston knocking off Utah on a last second field goal…and, okay, there was North Carolina upsetting Virginia by 27 in Charlottesville.

 So, okay, maybe it was a bit more abnormal than I first thought. Let’s go back and review what a great weekend it was and then look ahead to week 10, highlighted by a massive game in Happy Valley.

 Texas Bowl Team of the Week - Texas A&M - It was THE game of the weekend in College Station and it wasn’t going well for the Texas Aggies. At the half, OC Collin Klein’s offense was mired in muck and QB Conner Weigman was struggling mightily. Head coach Mike Elko and Klein made a change at QB and the game turned immediately. QB Marcel Reed, who led the Aggies to three consecutive wins when Weigman was injured, stepped into the lineup and the game flipped. He threw just two times but he completed both. However, it was his running that changed this one - nine attempts for 62 yards and three touchdowns. The Aggies defense harassed LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier all night long, forcing three interceptions and racking up 2.0 sacks. Elko’s Aggies went on a 31-6 2nd half scoring binge to beat #8 ranked LSU 38-23.

 Texas Bowl Honorable mention Team of the Week - Houston - It’s been a bit of a rocky season for the Cougars, but the last second 17-14 win over Utah will be one that head coach Willie Fritz can build off of for the remainder of this season. The Cougars beating a pre-season Big 12 favorite will do nothing but build the confidence of this team. K Jack Martin nailed a 43-yard field goal as time expired to give Houston its third win of the season.

 Texas Bowl Player of the Week - Auburn RB Jarquez Hunter - The Tigers season had been heading south rather quickly. Even as they prepared to play feisty Kentucky in Lexington, head coach Hugh Freeze flew separately to the game due to illness. As such, it looked to be a rough day for Auburn yet again. Enter Hunter. He went OFF. He set a career high with 278 yards, which also set the mark for the highest single-game total for an FBS ball carrier this year (yes, even Ashton Jeanty hadn’t hit that mark). Hunter also broke Bo Jackson’s school record for rushing yards in a half with 214 in the second half in Auburn’s much needed 24-10 win over Kentucky.

 Texas Bowl Honorable mention Player of the Week - Texas A&M DB B.J. Mayes - He picked off LSU star QB Garrett Nussmeier twice and added two tackles in the Aggies impressive 38-23 win over #8 ranked LSU. The Aggies defense played one of the best halves of football over the last 30 minutes of game action to secure a big win over LSU. Mayes was a big reason why, attacking the ball in the air, and the Tigers receivers,  throughout the night.

 National Team of the Week - Kennesaw State - The odds of Kennesaw State, 0-6 entering the game, beating undefeated Liberty were so astronomical that even Kevin Malone from The Office wouldn’t have felt comfortable betting on the Owls. Yet, after two Austin Welch field goals in the fourth quarter, the Owls led C-USA conference leading Liberty 27-17. A late Liberty TD only cut the final margin, but it didn’t stop the Owls from earning their first ever win over an FBS opponent…that just so happened to be the undefeated, playoff seeking Liberty Flames.

 Honorable Mention National Team of the Week - SMU - The Mustangs set a record on Saturday and it’s one that they hope to never accomplish ever again. FBS teams were 124-1 THIS CENTURY when +6 in turnover margin. Make that 124-2 because SMU somehow found a way to beat formerly 6-1 Duke IN DURHAM after throwing three interceptions and losing three fumbles to Duke’s zero turnovers. The Mustangs kept coughing up that win in Durham, but forced an incompletion on a two point attempt in overtime to finally win 28-27. The #22 ranked Mustangs are now 7-1 with their only loss coming to undefeated Big 12 leader BYU. RB Brashard Smith ran for 117 yards and two touchdowns to lead SMU to a massive ACC win.

 National Player of the Week - Indiana DB D’Angelo Ponds - Washington came to Bloomington, IN telling everyone that would listen that it wasn’t coming for autographs. The Huskies also didn’t intend for Ponds to ruin the game, but he did. The IU star picked off a tipped double pass attempt and took it 65 yards for a touchdown to open the scoring. Then, he had an interception in the second quarter that led to another IU TD in Indiana’s 31-17 victory, the 8th in a row in 2024 and with GameDay in attendance.

 Honorable mention National Player of the Week - North Carolina DE Kaimon Rucker - I’ve been a fan of Rucker’s for a while, but the University of Virginia isn’t after what he did to them this past Saturday. In one of the best games of his career, he finished with eight tackles, 3.0 sacks, 3.5 TFL and an interception in the Tar Heels big 41-14 win over UVa.

 Quick Kudos

…to Sam Houston and head coach K.C Keeler for a sixth win to become bowl eligible in only the second year in FBS play. It wasn’t pretty but a 10-7 win over FIU did the trick.

 …to undefeated Pitt for one of the best halves of football in CFB this year - the defense had THREE pick sixes in the FIRST HALF in a 41-13 win over Syracuse.

 …to Louisville for coming back from a 20-0 deficit to win on the road in Chestnut Hill over Boston College 31-27

 …to Penn State QB Beau Pribula for replacing star QB Drew Allar and leading the Nittany Lions to a big road win over Wisconsin 28-13.

 …to Texas S Michael Taaffe for a six tackle, one INT performance in a 27-24 win over Vandy in Nashville.

 …to BYU for staying undefeated after being an underdog to 3-4 UCF

 …to Alabama for becoming Alabama again.

 …to Ole Miss’ defense for one of the most dominating second halves I’ve seen in a 26-14 win over Oklahoma.

 …to Memphis. Don’t look now but the 33-28 win over Charlotte took the Tigers to 7-1 on the season. GOOD football team!

 …to Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson who threw for 222 and three tuddies, plus ran for 73 yards and one touchdown in Baylor’s win over Oklahoma State. Dave Aranda’s Bears have won two in a row beating Texas Tech and Oklahoma State, averaging 47 points in the process.

 Finally…to Coach Prime, Shedeur, Travis and the Colorado Buffs for winning a sixth game to make them bowl eligible for the first time in a full season since 2016. Congrats Buffs!

 Week 10’s Big games

#4 (6-1) Ohio State at #3 (7-0) Penn State - The Buckeyes have made a habit out of ruining perfectly good seasons for the Nittany Lions and another Buckeyes’ win would do the exact same thing. Penn State’s QB Drew Allar’s status is still up in the air for this game and that makes it REALLY interesting in Happy Valley.

 #18 (7-0) Pitt at #20 (7-1) SMU - This is the most important football game that SMU has played in Dallas in decades. The surprising Pitt Panthers and QB Eli Holstein are on the way to take on SMU star QB Kevin Jennings and the Mustangs. Both teams are undefeated in conference play but the winner will make a serious playoff statement with a win.

 

Lone Star Player of the Week Candidates

South Carolina S Nick Emmanwori - The South Carolina star safety had 11 tackles, one TFL, two interceptions, one of which he returned 65-yards for a pick six, in the Gamecocks 35-9 win over Oklahoma in Norman.

 

Georgia DEs Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams - The two star edge rushers combined for five sacks, five TFLs, 11 tackles, one forced fumble and five QB hurries in a statement win over #1 Texas.

 

Iowa State QB Rocco Becht - Becht accounted for 371 total yards (274 passing, 97 rushing - throwing/rushing on 66 total snaps) and three total touchdowns in the Cyclones 38-35 win over pesky UCF. He also scored the game winning TD with 0:30 remaining to keep Iowa State undefeated.

 

Kansas CB Cobee Bryant - The Kansas Mamba had THREE interceptions in the Jayhawks win over Houston. He was the first Jayhawk to record three interceptions in a game since 1958!

 

-------------------------------

For the first time since the opening weekend, Georgia showed up to play ball and dominated the Texas Longhorns in Austin. That win highlighted the weekend that was filled with ups and downs all the way throughout week eight in college football.

 

Let’s review that week and then look forward to a sneak hot week nine across the country. It’s going to be a wild one in the SEC, yet again, but the B1G has a couple of great games to preview in week nine as well.

 

Texas Bowl Team of the Week - Georgia - The Dawgs were dead, right? They beat Kentucky by just a point a month ago. They lost to Alabama after trailing 30-7 at halftime a few weeks ago. They went through the motions, seemingly, in a 41-31 win over Mississippi State last week. Then, from seemingly out of nowhere, they rope-a-doped Texas in Austin when EVERYONE thought that Texas was back. Texas was not back because Georgia said so. It was like Georgia turned into the college football version of ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin. The defense sacked Texas QBs seven times and intercepted them once, completely dominating one of the best offenses in the nation. The Dawg defense held Texas to 29 yards rushing, 160 yards BELOW the Horns’ average. Georgia overcame a horrendous moment in the second half to leave Austin with a convincing 30-15 win over the formerly number one Longhorns.

 

Texas Bowl Honorable mention Team of the Week - BYU - Kelani Sitake’s Cougars stayed undefeated with one of the great finishes in the 2024 season. Against Oklahoma State on Friday Night, the Cougars engaged in a back-and-forth for the ages. With 1:13 left, Cowboys WR Brennan Presley scored on a throw from QB Alan Bowman to give the Cowboys a 35-31 lead. BYU’s undefeated appeared to be on life support, but Dr. Jake Retzlaff, errr, QB Jake Retzlaff brought the undefeated season back to life, throwing a 35-yard catch-and-run TD to Darius Lassiter with ten seconds remaining to win 38-35. The Cougars are 7-0 and don’t play a ranked team the rest of the season (although the three road games aren’t easy - UCF, Utah and Arizona State)

 

Texas Bowl Player of the Week - Kansas CB Cobee Bryant - The Kansas Mamba had THREE interceptions in the Jayhawks win over Houston. He was the first Jayhawk to record three interceptions in a game since 1958! He was also the first player in FBS to have three and the first Big 12 player to have three picks since 2012. Yeah, that’ll do it!

 

Texas Bowl Honorable mention Player of the Week (tie) - Georgia DEs Jalon Walker & Mykel Williams - The two star edge rushers combined for five sacks, five TFLs, 11 tackles, one forced fumble and five QB hurries in a statement win over #1 Texas.

 

South Carolina S Nick Emmanwori - The South Carolina star safety had 11 tackles, one TFL, two interceptions, one of which he returned 65-yards for a pick six in the Gamecocks 35-9 win over Oklahoma in Norman.

 

National Team of the Week - Indiana - A few years ago, beating Nebraska would’ve been a field rushing event at Indiana. But, after the Hoosiers DESTROYED the Huskers 56-7 in Bloomington, head coach Curt Cignetti and crew have designs on doing much more than celebrating a win over a fellow B1G team. The Hoosiers will have to live life without star QB Kurtis Rourke for a few weeks, but are you going to stop believing in this team now? Absolutely not. Cignetti has been the unquestioned Coach of the Year to this point. Washington, a trip to Michigan State and a visit from the defending national champions Michigan are all that stand in the way of an Indiana-Ohio State top ten matchup for B1G supremacy…possibly, in a few weeks.

 

Honorable Mention National Team of the Week - America, i.e Army & Navy - I sent a text to my Texans radio crew prior to last Saturday as I was watching Army DISMANTLE UAB during the middle of last week. It hit me that this might not be a one year upswing for the Service Academy programs. Geoff Monken (Army) and Brian Newberry (Navy) have built stalwarts in the college game and they kept the machines rolling in week eight. #23 ranked Army was up 38-7 before they let off the gas pedal in their 45-28 win over East Carolina, while #25 ranked Navy beat Charlotte into submission 51-17. Look at Army’s schedule - it has Notre Dame on November 23rd and not much else. Look at Navy’s schedule - Notre Dame is up this weekend at MetLife Stadium. Pull upsets in those games and December 14th gets all kinds of interesting when these two teams meet.

 

National Player of the Week - Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten - In the win over Boston College, Tuten was unstoppable. 266 yards and three TD on the ground. One reception for a 20-yard touchdown. Four total touchdowns. One 83-yard run for a TD. One 61-yard run for a touchdown. He was explosive and dominant against an experienced and disciplined Boston College defense. Tuten just went OFF on Thursday night at home in a key 42-21 win over BC in Blacksburg.

 

Honorable mention National Player of the Week - Miami, FL QB Cam Ward - Watch a full game of Cam Ward live. Do it. Just watch everything he does in a game and you’ll walk away wondering what kind of magician act you just watched. The numbers are always jaw dropping - 21 of 32 for 319 yards and four TD, in addition to 29 yards rushing, mostly on improbable escapes. But, the moments…my gosh, the moments. The flip forward to RB Mark Fletcher Jr when Ward was engulfed by three Louisville defenders. The 35-40 yard LASER to WR Jacolby George, rolling to his left, back across his body into a six inch spot where only George could catch it. Ridiculous.

 

Quick Kudos

…to Tennessee RB Dylan Sampson for an outstanding ballgame when the Vols needed it the most - 26 carries for 139 yards and two TD in the come-from-behind win over Alabama. Kudos to

 

…to Oregon for having no let down on a short week, traveling to a tough place to play, after beating undefeated Ohio State…and shutting out Purdue in West Lafayette 35-0

 

…to Duke for a sixth win this year, a 23-16 win over Florida State. Head coach Manny Diaz has done a wonderful job elevating the program after Mike Elko left for Texas A&M

 

…to Clemson’s offense that is quietly TEARING it up lately. Since the loss to Georgia in the opener, the Tigers low point output is 29 and they’ve averaged, AVERAGED 48.3 points per game, including 48 against Virginia in week eight.

 

…to Kansas State for destroying West Virginia in Morgantown 45-18. That’s a tough place to play and Kansas State completely took over the second half with 28 points in the last two quarters.

 

…to SMU for scoring 31 in the first half against Stanford and cruising to a 40-10 win, giving them an unblemished 3-0 record in the ACC.

 

…to Mizzou QB Brady Cook for coming back from the hospital to lead the Tigers to a come-from-behind 21-17 win over the Auburn Tigers.

 

…to Wisconsin, head coach Luke Fickell and DC Mike Tressel for holding Northwestern to three points. After giving up 80 in two games to Alabama and USC, the Badgers held Purdue, Rutgers and Northwestern to a combined 16.

 

…to UCLA for its first B1G win ever over Rutgers in Piscataway, NJ

 

…to Cincinnati and head coach Scott Satterfield for a ten point win over hot Arizona State, the Bearcats’ fourth win in five weeks. Four points separates the Bearcats from an undefeated start.

 

…to Coach Prime and Colorado for a decisive W at Arizona, which moves the Buffs within one win of bowl eligibility…and much more.

 

…to Dave Arands, Lubbock native QB Sawyer Robertson and Baylor for putting 59 (!!) on Texas Tech in Lubbock.

 

Week 9’s Big games

#8 (6-1) LSU at #14 (6-1) Texas A&M - Each team’s loss came to a non-conference foe as LSU lost to USC out in Vegas and A&M lost to Notre Dame in each program’s opening game of the season. As such, each program’s SEC Championship/Playoff dreams are still out in front, in full view, with just five games remaining. Kyle Field hasn’t seen as important a football game in quite some time and it’ll be rocking. But, LSU is like a Tiger with nine lives with all the close games it has won this year. QBs Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) and Conner Weigman (A&M) will have a national stage to show it off in the most important game for each to date in their careers.

 

#5 (6-1) Texas at #25 (5-2) Vanderbilt - Even though Texas is a massive favorite in this game. However, after what, and who, Vandy QB Diego Pavia has slayed this year, can Texas fans feel totally confident in a trip to Nashville to face this Vandy QB and team? I wouldn’t be, especially after the way Texas struggled in all phases against Georgia last week in Austin. Pavia is the LAST QB I’d want to face right now if I were Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian.

 

#20 (6-1) Illinois at #1 Oregon (7-0) - The Fightin’ Bielemas won’t be wearing the old-time Illini jerseys & helmets as they did last week (if you haven’t seen the helmets, my gosh, what are you doing? Go find a shot of them - BEAUTIFUL). However, they will come to Autzen for a fight because that’s what Bret Bielema-coached teams do. But, the Ducks are on a different level now as they’ve found their stride. The Ducks don’t face a current ranked team after Illinois the rest of the season, so this one is the toughest hurdle to cross on their way to the B1G Championship game.

 

#12 (6-1) Notre Dame v #24 Navy (6-0) - Met Life Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ - The more I watch both Army and Navy, the more I think this success could stick for years to come. Navy QB Blake Horvath’s offense can morph from option look to spread scheme and back in the same series. No defense has come close to slowing the Midshipmen this year but Notre Dame’s is by far the most athletic and dynamic unit that Navy has faced this season. Can’t wait for this one!

Lone Star Player of the Week Candidates

Arizona State RB Cam Skatteboo - 26 touches for 199 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-19 win over Utah on Friday Night Football.

 Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr - Against Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl, Hill Jr finished with 11 tackles, 3.5 TFL, two sacks, one FF and one QB pressure.

 Georgia WR Arian Smith - Smith had the best game in his career with five catches for 134 yards and one touchdown in a 41-31 win over Mississippi State. 

-------------------------------

Oregon and Ohio State highlighted an outstanding week seven with a one point Duck win. LSU upset Ole Miss with one of the best late game comebacks of the season. Texas was dominant in the Cotton Bowl. BYU stayed undefeated.

 Those are just the ones that stood out in an intense week seven, so let’s dive into the whole weekend and then preview an important week eight in college football.

 Texas Bowl Team of the Week - LSU - After a narrow defeat to USC to start the season, Brian Kelly’s Tigers have been walking a tightrope of thrilling one score games. South Carolina in Columbia, SC comes to mind, but against #9 ranked Ole Miss, the tension was thick late in the game again. Gritty LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier threw a touchdown on fourth down with just 0:27 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime. After Ole Miss’ K Caden Davis somehow hit a 57-yard FG in the first overtime, Nussmeier sealed the improbable win on the first play of LSU’s possession with a 25-yard TD toss to WR Kyren Lacy. That’s five straight now for LSU but the tests don’t stop (road Arkansas, road A&M, bye week, home Alabama). Regardless, the Tigers are the team of the week for this 29-26 win over Ole Miss.

 Texas Bowl Honorable mention Team of the Week - Arizona State - I’ve said it a few times already that Friday Night Football on ESPN with my guy Andre Ware is some of the most exciting football you’ll find any given CFB weekend. This past Friday night was no exception as Kenny Dillingham’s Sun Devils did it again, coming back from behind to beat #16 Utah 27-19. On the field after the game, the Sun Devils’ student section rushed the field while Dillingham did his post game on-field interview. “I WAS THESE GUYS, I WAS THESE GUYS”, Dillingham, the former Sun Devil, excitedly stated as he was being interviewed. It was an outstanding moment on a beautiful night in Tempe.

 Texas Bowl Player of the Week - Arizona State RB Cam Skatteboo - Once again, Skatteboo carried the Sun Devils to an upset win over the formerly #16 ranked Utah Utes. He ran 22 times for 158 yards and two touchdowns. In addition, he was second on the team with four receptions for 41 yards - In total, 26 touches for nearly 200 yards and two touchdowns. It’s not as if the Sun Devils don’t have a ton of other talent but everyone in the building knows Skatteboo is getting the ball the majority of the time and he STILL roasts every defense he faces.

 Texas Bowl Honorable mention Player of the Week - Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr. - The Longhorns shut out the Sooners for the last three quarters of the game and Hill Jr. was a major reason why. He led the team with 11 tackles, racked up two sacks, 3.5 tackles for a loss, forced one fumble and one QB pressure. Talk about stuffing the stat sheet. The Horns are a problem for the SEC and Hill Jr leads the defense that puts fear in their hearts.

 National Team of the Week - Oregon - The Ducks were a three point underdog at Autzen Stadium heading into their massive matchup with the Ohio State Buckeyes. Yet, at the end of the night, head coach Dan Lanning’s crew stood tall as the clock ran out on Ohio State. QB Dillon Gabriel and the Ducks offense thrived under the glare of the national spotlight and put 32 points up on the board in a one point win over the potently explosive Buckeyes.

 Honorable Mention National Team of the Week - Iowa - The Hawkeyes scored 40 points. Okay, so the joke isn’t as funny since head coach Kirk Ferentz changed coordinators and QB Cade McNamara and RB Kaleb Johnson took the reins of the offense. This is now a competent college offense, led by these two stars. Johnson ran for 166 yards and accounted for three touchdowns in a 40-16 win over last year’s national championship runner-ups Washington.

 National Player of the Week - Penn State TE Tyler Warren - It’s been a long time since, if ever, I can remember a tight end having the type of game that Warren did for Penn State out in Los Angeles. The gifted Penn State tight end had 17 receptions…SEVENTEEN…for 224 yards and a touchdown. On that touchdown, he actually snapped the ball to the backup QB, who then threw it to the starting QB, who then threw it to Warren, who went up over TWO USC defenders in the end zone for the touchdown catch. He caught 17 of Penn State QB Drew Allar’s 30 completions, just an amazing afternoon in sunny LA.

 Honorable mention National Player of the Week - Wisconsin RB Tawee Walker - The Badgers have outscored Purdue and Rutgers a combined 94-13 and Walker was the key in the 42-7 win this week over Rutgers. The Oklahoma transfer ran 24 times for 198 yards and three touchdowns in the Badgers win - don’t look now but Luke Fickell might have something going with Walker leading the way.

 Quick Kudos

…to Kansas State’s Triplets - QB Avery Johnson (15-23, 224 yards and two TD), RB D.J. Giddens (25 totes, 182 rushing yards) and WR Jayce Brown (six catches for 121 yards and two TD). BIG win over Colorado in Boulder 31-28

 …to UNLV for its fifth victory (now 5-1) in 2024, scoring 41 points in the first half in a 50-34 win over Utah State.

 …to Texas. That was a thorough beatdown in Dallas.

 …to Iowa State for a gritty 12-point win on the road in Morgantown to stay undefeated - 6-0

 …to Pitt for remaining undefeated 6-0 after a defensively driven win over Cal

 …to Vandy, again, this time on the road at Kentucky for the 20-13 win over the Cats

 …to Syracuse, I’ll bet that no one knows that the Orange are 5-1 with the only loss coming against Stanford on a Friday Night on the last play of the game. Orange coach Fran Brown is making his first year look real easy.

 …to Rice and QB E.J. Warner, throwing four TDs, including the game winner with four seconds left to beat UTSA 29-27.

 …to Washington State for its fifth win against one loss. The Cougars went to Fresno and took home a 25-17 win after Ethan O’Connor’s pick six in the fourth quarter.

 …to UL-Monroe and head coach Bryant Vincent. The Warhawks have one loss to Texas and that’s it. They beat Southern Miss 38-21 to get to 5-1.

 …to Army for a sixth straight win, a 44-10 hammering of UAB. The two service Academies - Army and Navy - are 11-0 and atop the American Athletic Conference.

 …to Penn State and TE Tyler Warren - man, WHAT A GAME from Warren. The Nittany Lions were dead to rights with just about three minutes left after a USC TD gave the Trojans the 30-23 lead. But, the Nittany Lions’ offense drove down to tie the game, winning it with a field goal in overtime.

 …to BYU, again, a dominating performance at home in a 41-19 win. DOMINATING.

 …to Cincinnati for winning twice as many Big 12 contests this year as they did in their inaugural year of 2023. The 19-13 win over UCF in Orlando was a huge road win for the Bearcats.

 Week 8’s Big games

#5 (5-1) Georgia at #1 (6-0) Texas - This is what it’s all about. Georgia goes on the road again, but this time can the Dawgs earn a big time win? The Dawgs didn’t have much luck in Tuscaloosa a few weeks ago, but now have a chance for retribution in Austin. But, Texas is the best team in the country, bar none, so this is going to be a football war.

 #7 (5-1) Alabama at #11 (5-1) Tennessee - The third Saturday in October has yet again become a must-see football event. Even though these two each have an ugly loss on the record, they have the potential of playing an all-timer in Knoxville yet again.

 #8 (5-1) LSU at (4-2) Arkansas - The Tigers came back from behind to beat top-ten ranked Ole Miss in Baton Rouge, so a trip to Arkansas is the WORST tonic from that hangover. The Hogs had the week off to prepare for LSU and play at home. Oh boy, this could get really interesting…again.

HOUSTON – The Texas Bowl Committee has selected the 2024 class of Gridiron Legends inductees, the committee announced today. The honorees will be inducted into the Gridiron Legends at a special pregame ceremony during the Texas Bowl game at NRG Stadium on Dec. 31.

The 2024 class features Pro Football Hall of Famer’s Eric Dickerson and John Randle, two sport Baylor Bear and All-American linebacker, James Francis, three-time All American kicker at Texas A&M and Pro Bowl New England Patriots kicker, Tony Franklin and legendary head football coach at Pearland High School, Tony Heath.

The Gridiron Legends have each made significant contributions to the game of football in the state of Texas at the high school, collegiate or professional level. The 2024 class joins 100 other Gridiron Legends who have been inducted since the Bowl’s inception in 2006, including Texas greats Earl Campbell, Joe Greene, Andre Ware, Bum Phillips, Jim Nantz, John David Crow, Andre Johnson, Bruce Matthews and Dave Campbell among others.

Eric Dickerson

Eric Dickerson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999, capping off a decorated 11-season career with the Rams (1983-86), Colts (1987-91), Raiders (1992) and Falcons (1993). The Texas Sports Hall of Famer, College Football Hall of Famer and Sealy, Texas native began his long list of accolades at Sealy High School. The All-State running back helped lead the football team to a state championship in 1978 with his record-breaking 296-yard and four-touchdown performance. Dickerson spent four years at Southern Methodist University and cemented himself in the record books as a two-time All-American and recorded 4,450-career rushing yards, the third-most in Southwest Conference History. The former Mustang’s successful career in the League began immediately after being drafted by the Rams in 1983. Dickerson won Rookie of the Year (1983) and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after breaking rookie records including most rushing attempts (390), most rushing yards (1,808) and most rushing touchdowns (18). Dickerson was dominant throughout his entire career as a five-time All-Pro (1983, 1984, 1986, 1987 and 1988) and a six-time Pro Bowl selection (1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1989). His efforts off the field are just as prominent as his successes on the field. He currently serves as the Chief Ambassador of Young Warriors, a foundation that empowers young boys with absent fathers, a struggle he encountered as a child, by giving them the tools needed to be successful and eradicate the adversity they face throughout their youth. Dickerson’s legendary career was recently honored when he was selected to the NFL 100th Anniversary Team in 2019.

John Randle

A success story from the start of his NFL career, Randle came to the Vikings in 1990 as an undrafted rookie free agent from Division II Texas A&I. In 1991, he cracked the regular starting lineup and he went on to start 150 of the 176 career games he played. Randle led or tied for the team lead 9 times in his 11 Vikings seasons and had 10+ sacks in 8 straight seasons from 1993-2000. Randle's 114.0 career sacks ranks 3rd in Vikings history and ranks as the most by a DT. Randle earned starting spots for the NFC in 6 straight Pro Bowls, 1993-98, with the Vikings and went to the Pro Bowl in 2001 as a Seahawk, representing the AFC. He was named to the NFL Team of the Decade for the 1990s and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame for his Texas A&I career. The Vikings then honored him as the 2008 selection for induction to the Ring of Honor. Most recently, Randle received the highest honor of the NFL as part of the 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement class. Randle, a Mumford, Texas native has one daughter, Brittany, and he and his wife, Candace, have twins, Ryann and Jonathan.

James Francis

James Francis was the 12th overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1990 NFL Draft. Before joining the League, Francis was a Baylor Bear, lettering four years in football and two in basketball. The multi-talented All-American linebacker and Baylor Hall of Famer was the SWC Defensive Player of the Year, earned First-Team All-Conference honors, was named to the Associated Press First-Team and was named AFCA All-America, all in 1989. Before making his way to Waco, Texas, Francis spent his childhood in Houston, attending LaMarque High School where he was an All-State selection. Francis led a successful 11-year professional career with the Bengals (1990-98) and the Washington Redskins (1999). It began with him being named to the PWFA All-Rookie Team (1990) after notching 78 tackles, 8.0 sacks, one interception and one touchdown in 16 games played. He played a total of 143 games in the League, recording 562 tackles (286 solo), 11 interceptions, 11 forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries and three touchdowns.

Tony Franklin

Native of Big Spring, Texas, Tony Franklin has gone down in history as one of the most dominant kickers in the game. Franklin was the first NFL kicker to kick a field goal while barefoot, earning the nickname, ‘The Barefoot Kicker.' Franklin began kicking shoeless at Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth, Texas. He is currently one of eight players from the program to have made it to the NFL. He attended Texas A&M and broke 18 NCAA records including most field goals of 50-plus yards (16), most field goals made in a three-year career (45), most field goals in a career (56) and most points off kicks (291). The former Aggie and Sun Bowl Legend was a three-time All-American at Texas A&M. He also made the Sun Bowl All-Time Team and the All-Time All-SWC Team. Continuing his barefoot triumphs after his collegiate career, Franklin was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round (74th overall) of the 1979 NFL Draft. He spent a decade on an NFL roster, kicking for the Eagles (1979-83), New England Patriots (1984-87) and the Miami Dolphins (1988). He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1986 and played in two Super Bowls in his career. He is also part of the NFL 1980’s All-Decade Team.

Tony Heath

Tony Heath, the Abernathy Texas native, began his coaching career in 1985 as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Texas – Arlington and joined Santa Fe High School as a varsity assistant in 1986. Beginning in 1989 he joined the La Marque High School staff and was a part of four state championship appearances which included back-to-back state championships (’95 and ’96) during his eight year tenure. In 1997, Heath was hired as Head Football Coach and Athletic Coordinator at Pearland High School. He inherited a football team that had a 9-90-1 record over the previous ten seasons and led them to the playoffs in his very first season (1997). After missing the playoffs in ’98 and ‘99, he led the Oilers to the playoffs each season since 2000 – a streak which that spanned 17 seasons. During that span, the Oilers made 6 trips to the regional finals, 4 to the state semifinals and 2 to the state championship. His 2010 Oiler squad was Class 5A Team of the year and set a new Pearland record at 16-0 and won the school’s first Class 5A Division I State Championship by defeating then No. 1 nationally-ranked Euless (TX) Trinity 28-24. His final record was 195-53, making him the winningest coach in Pearland history. Over the course of his tenure at Pearland, he received numerous awards and accolades: 2001 Houston Chronicle Coach of the Year, Touchdown Club of Houston Coach of the Year Finalist from 2000 – 2008, Touchdown Club’s Coach of the Year in 2010, District Coach of the Year in 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2010. He has served on the Board of Directors for both the Greater Houston (President) and Texas High School Coaches Associations and was inducted into the Ronnie Bell Hall of Honor in 2012. Heath also had the privilege of coaching in the Bayou Bowl in 2003, 2007 and 2009. Heath is now working full-time as a business development manager for Hellas Construction and recently joined Athlete Training and Health as a senior consultant.

For tickets and more information regarding the 2024 Texas Bowl featuring the Big 12 versus the SEC, visit https://www.thetexasbowl.com/