2006 Independence Bowl

2006 Independence Bowl
December 28th, 2006 - 4:30 PM EST on ESPN

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Alabama and Oklahoma State will square off in the 2006 Independence Bowl to be played in Shreveport, Louisiana.  The Crimson Tide had a disappointing season and were lucky to get to a bowl after only picking up 6 victories.  The bad season cost Mike Shula his job after losing their last 3 contests to Mississippi State, LSU, and Auburn.  This came one year after a 10-2 season in which they finished the year off with a win over Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl.  The Tide have been to more bowls and have more bowl wins than any other school in division I, and they are making their third straight bowl appearance.  Alabama's offense have been horrible on the road posting just 15.7 ppg. 

Alabama and Oky State have never met on the football field, but both have played in this bowl game one time in the past.  Alabama beat Iowa State 14-13 in 2001 while Oky State lost 33-16 to Texas A&M way back in 1981. 

The Cowboys are playing in their 4th bowl game in the last 5 seasons even though they were only 3-5 in Big 12 play.  Their 42-32 over Kansas could have played a big role in earning them a bowl bid, because Kansas at 6-6 was left off the bowl schedule.  Their offense has been the bright spot on the team by posting more than 35 ppg.  The Cowboys have lost three of their last 4, but against three of the top teams in the Big 12.   

Look at our college bowl picks page if you want to know who our experts are taking in this one.

Best odds:

Oklahoma State -2 -109 at Pinnacle
Alabama +2 -101 at Pinnacle

UNDER 51.5 -110 at BetCris
OVER 51 -110 at VIP

Official site of the 2006 Independence Bowl.