Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma State preview
The TaxAct Texas Bowl will kickoff on Wednesday, December 27th with a tremendous matchup between Oklahoma State and Texas A&M
The TaxAct Texas Bowl will kickoff on Wednesday, December 27th with a tremendous matchup between Oklahoma State and Texas A&M. Here’s my preview of the game.
TaxAct Texas Bowl - NRG Stadium
(9-4) Oklahoma State v (7-5) Texas A&M
Oklahoma State Players to Watch
RB #0 Ollie Gordon II - The Man. The Straw Stirring the Drink. The Cowboys offense IS Gordon II - Doak Walker Award Winner - 1,614 rushing yards, 20 TD, 326 yards receiving, one TD
WR #80 Brennan Presley - 24 catches combined in “GOTTA HAVE IT” games the last two games of the regular season - reliable veteran who gets open against anyone.
DE #30 Collin Oliver - The most dynamic pass rusher for this Cowboys defense, plenty of bend and twitch that could be problematic for the Texas A&M OTs/TEs - 13.5 TFL & 6.0 sacks
LB #4 Nickolas Martin - Leads the Cowboys in tackles (133), TFL (16.0) and is tied at the top for sacks (6.0), future NFL LB. Martin had an interception against Texas in the Big 12 Championship game.
Texas A&M Players to Watch
RB #8 LeVeon Moss, #4 Amari Daniels & #2 Rueben Owens - There hasn’t been a true #1 Aggie running back for this offense. One of these three backs must emerge to match Gordon on the ground for the Aggies.
WR #1 Evan Stewart - Internet rumors have Stewart playing in the game, bypassing to transfer, not playing but staying. I have absolutely no idea what to think, but he’s the most dynamic Aggie weapon in the arsenal, by FAR!
DE #45 Edgerrin Cooper - Cooper was magnificent this season and a 1st Team All-American. He’s already accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl, so not sure he’s playing. I’m praying he does play to face Gordon - Cooper v. Gordoni is one of the best matchups in the bowl season if they both play.
DT #34 Isaiah Raikes - Fellow DT McKinnley Jackson declared for the NFL Draft early this month and that will leave a massive hole up front. That forces Raikes into the void to make plays against Gordon and the Cowboy run game.
Keys to the Game
1. It’s all about whether the Texas A&M defense slows down Doak Walker Award winner Ollie Gordon II on the ground consistently enough to force Oklahoma State QB Alan Bowman to throw 30+ times. If Gordon gets into a rhythm, he’s going to get the rock 30 times and put A&M on its heels. That will be 30 tough carries against a versatile and disruptive A&M front.
2. A&M QB Jaylen Henderson, the Fresno State transfer, was impressive in the final two games of the season, starting twice in those games. His escapability and slipperiness were issues for Mississippi State and LSU. He’ll have a different OC calling plays with former Aggies OC Bobby Petrino leaving for Arkansas, but Henderson can create out of structure, putting Oklahoma State’s defense in trouble, regardless of play call or execution.
3. A&M has lost some offensive linemen to the transfer portal, so it could be a long night against Oklahoma State DE Collin Oliver. The Cowboy edge rusher is the twitchiest edge guy for the Oklahoma State defense and a great answer to Henderson’s scramble and off-schedule creations.
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