Postseason matchups don't get much better than this year's Alamo Bowl. You've got the Texas Longhorns, one of the nation's premiere football programs, and then you've got the Oregon Ducks, who have the Nike Monster backing everything they do. These two schools feature top-notch facilities and have more financial flexibility than just about everyone else.
Alamo Bowl 2013: TV schedule, streaming, preview for Oregon vs. Texas
With Mack Brown coaching his final game for the Longhorns, how will Texas fare against one of the nation’s best offensive attacks? (Dec. 30, 6:45 p.m. ET, ESPN.)
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But there’s a reason to wonder about the mental state of both teams. Oregon is a month removed from being on track for the national title game, but two late-season losses to Stanford and Arizona ended any chances there. If Texas would’ve come out on top against Baylor in its regular-season finale, the Longhorns would’ve been BCS bound. The team ended up losing in a blowout.
Here is everything you need to know to get ready for the game in San Antonio.
The numbers
Rankings and records: Oregon comes in with a 10-2 record and was ranked 10th in the final BCS standings of the year. Texas is 8-4, though the ‘Horns dropped two of their last three games. They are not ranked.
Vegas: Oregon opened as a 14-point favorite. The over-under is set for 67 points, so prepare for a lot of offense.
Weather: It’ll be a comfortable, dry 70 (or so) degrees inside the Alamodome. Hooray for roofs in December!
Bowl facts:
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Stadium: Alamodome -- Capacity 65,000 (expansion available to 72,000)
Tickets: Find available seats here.
Last year’s score: Texas 31, Oregon State 27
Last year’s attendance: 65,277
Last year’s TV rating: 4.8 (6.75 million viewers)
Last year’s payout for each school: $3 million
Team with the most all-time appearances: Iowa (4)
Team with the most all-time wins: Nebraska (3)
Three names to know
Marcus Mariota -- Mariota is dealing with a knee injury, and while he's already said he will return to Oregon next year instead of declaring for the NFL early, all eyes will be on the dynamic quarterback. The sophomore has racked up 3,994 yards of total offense and 39 total touchdowns.
De'Anthony Thomas -- Perhaps the fastest man in college football, Thomas does a little bit of everything for the Ducks. He carried the ball 93 times for 581 yards and eight touchdowns in 2013. He also made 20 receptions for 222 yards and a score.
Malcolm Brown -- Brown has shouldered the load for Texas since Johnathan Gray was lost for the season due to injury. He's run the ball really well lately, upping his season totals to 774 yards and nine touchdowns on 188 carries.
Two things at stake
The Ducks didn’t quite make it to Pasadena like they wanted to, but an Alamo Bowl appearance is nothing to scoff at. A victory would give UO at least 11 wins for the fourth year in a row.
The Longhorns would like to send Mack Brown out a winner in his final game with the school.
How to witness
TV: Dec. 30, 6:45 p.m. ET, ESPN
Radio: Oregon affiliates | Texas affiliates
Online streaming: WatchESPN
Further reading
For more on the game, check out Addicted To Quack and Burnt Orange Nation.
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