As we head into week four of the college football season, there are still plenty of potential matchups for the 2023 Valero Alamo Bowl.
PAC-12
So far this season, the Pac-12 has looked like the strongest conference in the nation by far. They lead all conferences with a total of eight teams currently in the AP Top 25. The two time defending Pac-12 champion and currently ranked #11 Utah Utes (3-0) looked like a big favorite to return to the Alamo Bowl for the first time since 2019 as they hope to get Senior quarterback Cam Rising returning to the field soon. However, don’t over look #10 Oregon (3-0) or #14 Oregon State (3-0) also looking to make their returns to the Alamo City this December. The Ducks, behind fifth year quarterback and potential Heisman candidate Bo Nix, have gotten off to a great start to this season. However, Nix and his team will have a tough test at Autzen Stadium this weekend as they host Coach Prime’s #19 Colorado who seem to have all of the momentum in the world at the moment. The #14 Oregon State Beavers are a team that is playing very good football at the moment. They will get their first chance against a conference opponent as they travel up to Pullman to face the #21 ranked Washington State Cougars in what should be one of the most exciting games this weekend.
Big 12
Both #3 Texas and #16 Oklahoma seem to have a hold on the Big 12 heading into conference play. While there are still five teams in the conference that hold an undefeated record (BYU, Kansas, #16 Oklahoma, #3 Texas, and UCF). That is be subject to change after this weekend as Kansas (3-0) will host BYU (3-0) in the Cougar’s first conference game in the Big 12. That being said, there are still a number of teams in the Big 12 that could be making plans for a trip to the Alamo Bowl at the end of the season.
Bowl Projections: It’s still early in the season, so there are many teams in both the Pac-12 and Big 12 that still have a legitimate shot at playing in this year’s Valero Alamo Bowl. However, here are what some experts are saying so far:
Action Network: Utah vs Kansas State
ESPN (Kyle Bonagura): Oregon State vs Oklahoma
ESPN (Mark Schlabach): Oregon vs Oklahoma
Athlon Sports: Oregon vs Kansas
College Football News: Utah vs Kansas State
For most teams around the country, conference play begins this week. It’s the special time of the season where football is already in full swing, but everyone’s hopes for a bowl game are still very much alive.
Valero Alamo Bowl team selection will take place Sunday, Dec. 3rd.
