Why is everyone calling this the must-watch game of the season?
For starters, the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl is one of just FIVE bowl games featuring two teams ranked in the CFP Top 12.
Also…
- It’s the highest ranked Valero Alamo Bowl matchup EVER.
- (The first time with both teams ranked inside the Top 12.)
- The 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl will be the third consecutive Top-15 matchup the Bowl has produced and marks the third year of a conference agreement to match the #1 Big 12 and #1 Pac-12 teams outside of the CFP selections.
- With the caliber of teams playing in this year’s game, the winner could finish inside the Top 10 by season’s end, which would be the fourth straight Valero Alamo Bowl winner to do so.
- 8 of the last 10 Valero Alamo Bowls have been decided in the final minutes.
- This game will reunite old rivals from the Big Eight/12 Conference days, as the schools have played 46 times with Colorado leading the series, 26-19-1, but the Cowboys won the last two in 2008 and 2009.
Here’s what some are saying…
- Yahoo.com rates the Valero Alamo Bowl the No. 5 overall bowl matchup for the second year in a row.
- The Washington Post rates the Valero Alamo Bowl as the 5 overall bowl matchup.
- The Big Lead rates the Oklahoma State vs Colorado matchup the fourth-best of all bowl games.
- Sports Illustrated rates the December 29th game as a “5-star” matchup.
- Rivals.com rates the game the fifth-best of all bowl matchups saying, “The Alamo Bowl has created a reputation for housing high-scoring, exciting games. This one should be no different.”
It’s going to be a close one…
- Fox Sports predicts: Oklahoma State 27, Colorado 17.
- Bleacher Report is picking Colorado 33, Oklahoma State 21.
- Buckeye Extra says to “never pick against a mullet”: Oklahoma State, 55-42.
- The State Journal thinks it’s going to be a nail biter: Colorado 31, Oklahoma State 30.
- ESPN projects: Colorado 38, Oklahoma State 35.
- As for the point spread, the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl is essentially a pick ’em: Colorado (-3).
How about some of the most dynamic players in college football…
For #10 Colorado:
- Sr QB Sefo Liufau: The four-year starter owns or is tied for 87 school records (58 passing, 20 total offense and nine others). This season he’s thrown for 2,171 yards, and was responsible for 18 touchdowns (11 passing, 7 rushing) earning the honor of the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award.
- Jr RB Phillip Lindsay: Became Colorado’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2010 by going for 1,189 yards and 16 touchdowns this season. That includes four 100-yard games — including 131 yards on 12 carries against Stanford. His 16 rushing TDs is ninth-best in the country, add one reception for a TD and his 17 total touchdown mark is 15th-best in the country.
- Sr LB Jimmie Gilbert: Leads the Buffs on defense as a first-team All-Pac-12 selection, he ranks third in the Pac-12 in sacks (10) and his six forced fumbles are the second-most in CU single-season history.
For #12 Oklahoma State:
- Jr QB Mason Rudolph: Top 10 in the country for passing yards (3,777), passing yards per game (314.8) and yards per pass attempt (9.08). He racked up 25 touchdowns with just 4 interceptions on the season.
- Jr WR James Washington: Finished second in the conference in receiving yards with 1,209, earning a First Team All-Big 12 selection.
- Fr RB Justice Hill: First freshman in school history to run for over 1,000 yards, averaging over 95 yards per game since he took over lead duties in Week 4, earning the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year award.
You need more reasons why this is a must-see game?
How about FIVE San Antonio locals playing for Oklahoma State…
- Senior safety Jordan Sterns (Steele High School) leads the Cowboy defense with 96 tackles, earning a First Team All-Big 12 selection.
- Junior defensive tackle Vincent Taylor (Madison High School) leads the Cowboys with six sacks, being named to the All-Big 12 First Team.
- Junior corner Ramon Richards (Brackenridge High School) has intercepted 3 balls for a team-leading 61 yards.
- Junior safety Tre Flowers (Judson High School) has played in every game and leads the team with six pass break ups, earning Second Team All-Big 12 honors.
- On the offensive side of the ball, senior wide receiver Austin Hays (Reagan High School) averages 16 yards per catch.
Every Valero Alamo Bowl has memorable moments, this one may have a dozen.