The 2019 Valero Alamo Bowl will pit the Pac-12 Conference against the Big 12 Conference this season. No. 12 Utah will face Texas on Dec. 31 (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). Here is the 2019 Valero Alamo Bowl preview. Rankings from The Associated Press Top 25.
No. 12 Utah Utes (11-2)
Perhaps the 2019 Valero Alamo Bowl is a disappointing consolation for Utah, which looked headed to a Pac-12 title and possible College Football Playoff berth before being beat down by Oregon in the league title game. The reality is the 2019 Valero Alamo Bowl for the Utes, who can win 12 games for the first time since 2004.
Utah also will have most of its best players on field. Quarterback Tyler Huntley (2,966 yards, 73.7 completion percentage) and running back Zack Moss (1,359 yards, 15 touchdowns) are two of the best in the business.
The Utes won’t have injured defensive backs Julian Blackmon and R.J. Hubert, but star defensive end Bradlee Anae’s 29 1/2 career sacks are tied for second in program history. Prior to yielding 37 points in the Pac-12 title game, Utah allowed 11.3 per game.
Texas Longhorns (7-5)
If Utah shows a hint of disappointment in failing to win the Pac-12, the Longhorns should be a complete mess. There were high expectations surrounding the Texas program entering the season, but injuries and a defense that yields nearly 29 points per game left it just a relatively average team.
Still, quarterback Sam Ehlinger (3,462 yards, 29 touchdowns) might be the best player on the Alamo Bowl field come New Year’s Eve. However, his Longhorn teammates on the offensive line must find a way to protect him better after giving up 32 sacks during the season.
Texas is trying for a third straight bowl victory, something this storied program has not been able to do during this decade.
Prediction
This is a matchup of teams that expected to be playing in a bowl bigger than the 2019 Valero Alamo Bowl. However, it’s still an intriguing contest between two programs that have something left to prove in 2019. Utah seems like it’s too good on both sides of the ball not to prevail.
Utah 35, Texas 20
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