For the fifth straight year the Valero Alamo Bowl will feature the #1 selections from the Big 12 and Pac-12 conferences after the College Football Playoff selections.
The first four years of this match-up delivered four Top-15 showdowns and three of the most memorable finishes in Valero Alamo Bowl history. Great teams means great players, and the Valero Alamo Bowl has played host to some of college football’s best over the last 25 years. From Drew Brees in 1998 to Bryce Love in 2017, some of the college’s best stars (including one Heisman winner and three future winners) have taken the field at the Alamodome.
This year looks like another embarrassment of riches based on the current media projections as every single matchup is littered with stars.
Heading into Week #11, there are seven teams that are bowl-eligible – Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, Washington State and West Virginia.
- Oklahoma is led by Heisman candidate Kyler Murray. The Sooner quarterback leads the country in passing efficiency, posting a staggering 216.6 rating through nine games. The two-sport athlete ranks 3rd in the country with 31 passing touchdowns, but his seven rushing touchdowns means he is responsible for the second most touchdowns in college football.
- Oregon Duck quarterback Justin Herbert entered the year with high expectations and he’s lived up to them throwing for over 2,300 yards and 22 touchdowns.
- Sam Ehlinger has made a name for himself leading the Longhorns. The sophomore has thrown for 16 touchdowns and only thrown two interceptions this year. Since both those opening weekend picks, he has thrown a school-record 246 consecutive passes without an interception. Ehlinger will have an opportunity to break the Big 12 record this weekend as he only needs to throw 28 more passes without an interception to break Geno Smith’s record. His dual-threat capability has also been lethal for opponent’s defenses, as his nine rushing touchdowns are tied for the most in the conference.
- Out in Salt Lake City, the Utes have been led by Tyler Huntley who was injured against Arizona State on Saturday. Despite this, Utah will be in good hands as their running back Zack Moss has ran for over 1,000 yards and a league-high-tying 11 rushing touchdowns.
- Husky Ben Burr-Kirven leads the nation in total tackles with 134. The senior has taken home multiple Pac-12 defensive player of the week honors and is the anchor of a Washington defense that ranks 9th in the country in scoring defense.
- Gardner Minshew transferred from East Carolina to Washington State and his stellar performances have catapulted him into the Heisman conversation. Minshew’s nation-leading 3,517 yards are almost 400 more than any other quarterback and his 27 passing touchdowns rank 6th in the country.
- If you take a look at the West Virginia Mountaineers roster, you’ll find an offense that is loaded with weapons. But the man that makes it tick is quarterback Will Grier. His 10 yards per passing attempt ranks 3rd in the country and his 28 touchdowns rank 5th.
Both the Big 12 and Pac-12 are star studded and if you’re in the Alamodome on Friday, December 28, chances are you’ll be able to experience another unforgettable experience from one of these players.
Make sure you head over to alamobowl.com/tickets or call 210-704-6666 to secure the best seats today!
