Autozone Liberty Bowl

Monday, December 29^th at 2:00 PM ET. Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, TN. ESPN

Texas A&M Aggies (7-5, 3-5 SEC) @ West Virginia Mountaineers (7-5, 5-4 Big XII)

Line: WVU -1.5

Give me liberty or give me the Liberty Bowl! Or give me something like that. The Liberty bowl pits the Big XII's very own 4^th place team, West Virginia, against someone from the SEC. Since TCU and Baylor split the "One True Champion" title, the Mountaineers enter their 33^rd bowl game to face conference ex-pat, Texas A&M. TAMU finished 9^th in the SEC and is looking for their 17^th bowl win in 36 tries.

The Numbers:

As you would expect in a game featuring a team from the Big XII and pseudo Big XII, this game will likely display two potent offenses featuring dynamic quarterback play. The Aggies were the 12^th ranked passing offense on the year, also ranking 34^th in total offense and 33^rd in scoring offense while finishing just 94^th in the ground game. The FEI guys like them for 30^th in offense overall. Although they play in the mighty SEC, you shouldn't expect too much from them on the defensive side. They allowed their opponents 27.3 ppg (71^st) and ended the season ranked 114^th, 63^rd and 104^th in rush, pass and total defense. So, not great.

WVU, as we saw all season, had as potent an offense on the year. Scoring 33.2 ppg (39^th), Clint Trickett's offense ranked 44^th in run, 9^th in passing and 11^th in total offense. Sadly, the transfer from Florida State will not be playing in this game as he became the second Big XII quarterback to retire due to concussions during the 2014 season. Defensively, they were surprisingly solid ranking 61^st in scoring defense, 68^th against the run, 64^th against the pass and 60^th in total defense. As you know, in the Big XII, that's pretty good.

One Random Fact:

Did you know that Reveille VIII, the A&M mascot, is a Cadet General which is the highest ranking member of the TAMU Corps of Cadets?

The Vegas Edge:

The Aggies were a good team to bet against this year going 4-8 ATS overall and 1-8 in conference play. WVU was better at 7-5 ATS on the season. Despite the offenses, or possibly because of the expectations, the two teams combined to go 8-16 against the total. The total for this game is 65.

The Sweatpants Verdict:

This game opened with WVU at -3.5 and has since been bet down to -1.5. And with QB Clint Trickett out for this game that makes sense. Initially I thought the WVU defense made this game an easy pick, but the QB situation makes me nervous. That said, I think the WVU run game will do enough to cover that tiny spread and bring home a victory. WVU 33 - 30.

Cyclown Says:

Both teams faltered down the stretch after impressive opening campaigns and without their starting quarterback, it is difficult to have confidence in our Riot Brothers, but I refuse to pick an SEC team over the Big XII. The Mountaineers still have one of the top receivers in the nation and a solid place kicker to boot. West Virginia wins another game with a last second field goal.

Russell Athletic Bowl

Monday, December 29^th at 5:30 PM ET. Orlando Citrus Bowl, Orlando, FL. ESPN

Oklahoma Sooners (8-4, 5-4 Big XII) @ (17) Clemson Tigers (9-3, 6-2 ACC)

Line: OU -4.5

In the second Big XII bowl game of the day, the 4^th place Sooners make their 48^th bowl appearance. Their opponents, the Clemson Tigers, finished 3^rd in the ACC and are playing in their 37^th postseason game.

The Numbers:

Although you will not find a Sooner fan to agree with me, I believe this year's edition of OU football is a decent one. I just think the Big XII was just a tough conference. They ranked 11^th in scoring offense, 9^th in rushing offense, 82^nd in passing and 20^th in total offense. Their offensive FEI+ ranking is 10^th. Their weakness appeared to be on the opposite side of the ball where they were average at best defensively giving up 24.8 ppg (48^th). They had a solid rush defense at 10^th, but their pass defense was atrocious at 118^th.

Clemson was essentially the opposite. They ranked 60^th in scoring offense, slightly better at 42^nd in passing and 62^nd overall. Their defense won them games where the 7^th ranked scoring defense allowed just 17.6 ppg. They were also the top ranked total defense, finishing 7^th against the run and 3^rd against the pass.

One Random Fact:

Clemson's coach, Dabo Swinney's real name is William Christopher. "Dabo" was a nickname given to him by his brother who, when Dabo was an infant, was trying to refer to him as "that boy".

The Vegas Edge:

Neither of these teams was a sure thing this season, both going 5-7 ATS on the year. Perhaps not surprisingly the Sooners were 9-3 against the total while Clemson finished 4-8. As the favorite under 6.5, OU went 0-2 on the year. The over is 12-3-1 in OU's last 16. The under is 7-1 in Clemson's last 8. The total for this game is 51.

The Sweatpants Verdict:

Clemson losing their O-coordinator is a tough loss for them. I really like their defense. But honestly when they faced good offenses they came up short. Look for OU to do enough on defense, win the special teams battle and get Big Game Bob a bowl victory. OU 33 - 24.

Cyclown Says:

Oklahoma lost to very good TCU, Baylor and K-State teams along with in-state rival Oklahoma State. Clemson lost to Georgia, Florida State and Georgia Tech. I'm not a believer that the ACC is a good conference, but recent results may prove me wrong. However, for today, I take OU to win by 14+

Advocare V100 Texas Bowl

Monday, December 29^th at 9:00 PM ET. NRG Stadium, Houston, TX. ESPN.

Arkansas Razorbacks (6-6, 2-6 SEC) @ Texas Longhorns (6-6, 5-4 Big XII)

Line: Hogs -6.5

Damnit! They found another bowl to sponsor!

After a 3-win season last year, Arkansas is back in a bowl game after finishing 12^th in the SEC and last in the SEC West. This is the Hogs 40^th bowl game. The Longhorns discovered themselves right around the Iowa State game for the second year in a row, squeaking out just enough wins against a tough schedule to reach their 53^rd bowl game. The first in what I am predicting to be many under new head coach, Charlie Strong.

The Numbers:

Arkansas was a pretty decent all around team but established their identity behind the hogs up front. Ranking 28^th in rushing to just 99^th through the air, they finished 48^th in scoring offense and 61^st in total offense with an FEI+ ranking of 23. Defensively, they were better, finishing 15^th in scoring defense while allowing only 20.3 ppg. They also finished 22^nd in rush, 56^th pass and 24th for total defense.

Texas was a bit more one-sided, finishing 104^th in scoring offense 22.6 ppg), 88^th in rush, 83^rd in passing and 105^th in total offense. They ended 94^th in FEI+ rankings offensively. Defensively, however, they finished 27^th in total defense; 33^rd in scoring (23.3 ppg), 66^th against the run and 12^th against the pass. They finished ahead of the Razorbacks in FEI+ at 14^th.

One Random Fact:

It is my opinion that AdvoCare is a pyramid scheme with weight loss supplements. Yep.

The Vegas Edge:

This game features two pretty good teams with ATS records. Arkansas went 9-3, Texas 7-5. Arkansas split as a favorite under 6.5 as did Texas as a dog in the same range. The total on this one is 44.5. Arkansas split against the total and Texas went 4-8.

The Sweatpants Verdict:

I just don't see how Arkansas doesn't win this game. It may be a plodding, defensive struggle, but I think the Hogs gigantic offensive line wears down the Texas defense. Arkansas 27 - 17.

Cyclown Says:

This may be the most challenging game for the Big XII today. Arkansas started conference play with a whimper yet finished with victories over LSU and Ole' Miss to reach bowl eligibility. Texas needs stellar play from the often inconsistent Swoopes to pull out the victory. I believe he puts it together and the Longhorns enter the 2015 season with title hopes back in the conversation.