2013 Cotton Bowl - Oklahoma v Texas A&M (SETTLED)
No. 10 Texas A&M vs. No. 12 Oklahoma
Fri., Jan. 4 – 8 p.m. ET, FOX
Arlington, Texas – Cowboys Stadium
In time the Sooners’ outrage over being knocked out of the BCS by Northern Illinois will subside. The players aren’t really affected by the payouts that really make the BCS the BCS. (Well … let’s assume they aren’t being affected by the loss of revenue.)
Seriously, what’s not to like? You get to play at the most impressive football stadium in the world, against the Heisman Trophy winner, who plays for a former conference rival that ditched your league to go play with the arrogant kids in the SEC. Geez, where do we sign up?
There will be some big time star power in Jerry’s house. Of course, it starts with Aggie quarterback “Johnny Football” Manziel, the redshirt freshman that made a habit out of making history.
With Manziel at the helm, Texas A&M (10-2) is poised to become a fixture among the game’s elite programs. Quarterbacks who can account for 4,600 yards (3,419 passing and 1,181 rushing) and 43 touchdowns were previously limited to fantasies.
But Manziel’s ultra-experienced counterpart, Sooner signalcaller Landry Jones is more than capable of stealing the show to run his record to 4-0 as a postseason starter.
To do that, Jones and his cohorts up front will have to account for Texas A&M defensive end Damontre Moore on every snap. Moore has been a terror in opposing backfields, finishing the regular season with 20 tackles for losses, including 12.5 sacks.
While leading Oklahoma (10-2) to season that was only marred by losses to undefeated Notre Dame and Big 12 champ Kansas State, Jones caught fire down the stretch, passing for 500 or more yards in two of his last three games. He expertly spreads the football around and there’s no reason to expect him to not be able to trade blows with the Aggies.
We see the determining factor being the Texas A&M offensive line’s ability to handle the Oklahoma front seven. The Sooners are better equipped to defend against the pass than the run. Manziel & Co. can do both, but their machine becomes even more dangerous if the ground game gets going first.
Opening point spread: Texas A&M by 3
The pick: Texas A&M 36-34
