Valero Alamo Bowl: Texas Suspends two prior to showdown with Oregon State

The Valero Alamo Bowl was hit with controversy on Friday when the Texas Longhorns one of the game’s participants suspended two of its players and sent them back to Austin.

The two players started at one time or another during the season and played quarterback and linebacker. Head Coach Mack Brown told reporters that the players broke team rules and were therefore suspended, but other reports said the two were being accused of sexual assault.

Today’s game features the Longhorns against a very tough Oregon State Beavers team. Texas enters the game with a record of 8-4 SU and 5-7 ATS and is ranked no. 23 in the country. The Beavers enter the game with a record of 9-3 SU and 8-4 ATS and they are ranked no. 13 in the national rankings.

Texas has had a rough season as early in the year they were routed by the Oklahoma Sooners 63-21 and then lost their last two games of the season to the TCU Horned Frogs and the Kansas State Wildcats. Those two losses have many alumni and other team supporters calling for the firing of Coach Brown.

Texas had a double threat at quarterback that some say has hurt the team, while others said it gave them more options. It should have been toss up as to who would start this game at QB for the Longhorns.

David Ash had 17 touchdown tosses and over 2,450 yards passing with only 7 interceptions this season, while Case McCoy also played well, but McCoy was one of the two players the Longhorns sent home due to suspension, so Ash will start.

This season Oregon State had a very good season and probably saved the job of Head Coach Mike Riley. Riley, like his counterpart Mack Brown, has been under a great deal of pressure to win and get the Beavers to a level of in-state rival the Oregon Ducks.

Oregon State also played two quarterbacks during the season and Cody Vaz finally took over the duties full time for Sean Mannion, halfway through the season. Vaz had 11 touchdowns through the air this season and only one interception. The Beavers have two excellent wide outs in Brandin Cooks and Markus Wheaton. Both players caught passes for more than 1,100 yards on the season and combined for 16 touchdown receptions.

The Longhorns have history on their side as the last five Valero Bowl winners have hailed from the Big 12. Both teams did not play well near the end of the season. Oregon State was 3-3 SU and ATS over their last six games, but one of those wins was against Nicholls State 77-3 and should not even be considered. Texas was 0-2 SU and ATS in their last two games of the season.

Odds makers have the Beavers as the favorite in this matchup by 3 points. The total for the over under has been sitting on 57 ½. The suspension of the two players for Texas should not affect the game’s outcome. Texas should be able to slow down the Beavers’ offense and score behind the play of Ash at quarterback.

I like the Longhorns plus the points in this matchup, with the total making winners of those who like the UNDER.