Both the Texas Longhorns and the Alabama Crimson Tide are teams that are rich in history. Both teams have played in major bowl games in years past. Don’t forget that you can get all of your college bowl picks this season from the best handicappers on the planet!
2008
Fiesta Bowl: Texas 24 – Ohio State 21: The Longhorns were favored by eight points in the ’08 Fiesta Bowl, and college football bettors were treated to a tremendous game. The Horns took a 17-6 lead into the fourth quarter and looked like they were set to cover the spread, but Ohio State stormed back and took a 21-17 lead with just 2:05 to play after two TDs. But QB Colt McCoy got the job done, hooking up with WR Quan Cosby for the game-winning score with just 0:16 to play. McCoy went 41/59 for 414 yards and two scores through the air and added a rushing touchdown to boot.
Sugar Bowl: Utah 31 – Alabama 17: Many thought that Alabama had the best team in the country last year, as it was the last undefeated team in major college football standing before losing to the Gators in the SEC Championship Game. However, after the 31-20 loss to Florida, a 31-17 loss to the Utes was a huge shock, especially as 9.5-point favorites.
2007
Holiday Bowl: Texas 52 – Arizona State 34: It was one of the best offensive showcases of the ’07 bowl season. RB Jamaal Charles ran for 161 yards and two scores, while McCoy ended up racking up 258 total yards of offense and two tuddies of his own. Texas jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, ultimately easily covering the one-point spread.
Independence Bowl: Alabama 30 – Colorado 24: Was this the game that really started it all for Alabama? It was sure a confidence-builder for QB John Parker Wilson, who went on to lead the Tide to their 12-0 start to last season. He went 19/32 for 256 yards and three TDs with a pick, as Bama finished up its season at 7-6, which helped set the stage for two seasons of success under HC Nick Saban.
2006
Alamo Bowl: Texas 26 – Iowa 24: Welcome to big time college football, Colt McCoy! The then freshman quarterback led the Horns to a 26-24 victory in the Alamo Bowl, as he went 26/40 for 308 yards and two TDs. Texas didn’t cover the hefty nine-point spread, but it was a day that set up the future for Longhorns football.
Independence Bowl: Oklahoma State 34 – Alabama 31: Very few of the players from that Alabama team that lost the ’06 Independence Bowl as short underdogs are still around, but one of them was a huge cog in a big comeback. DB Javier Arenas cut a 31-17 deficit in the fourth quarter in half with his 86-yard punt return for a touchdown. The super senior will be looking to break the all-time NCAA record for punt return yardage, and if he gets 172 yards against the Horns, he’ll pull off the feat.