:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52479821/usa_today_9719596.0.jpeg)
The Game
The Kansas State Wildcats (8-4, 6-3 Big 12, rv/nr) face the Texas A&M Aggies (8-4, 4-4 SEC, rv/rv) in the 11th Texas Bowl in Houston. The teams have identical overall records, but the Wildcats – winners of three consecutive and five of their last six -- has the decided advantage in momentum. The Aggies lost their last game of the season and their last four against major-conference competition. This marks the second appearance in the Texas Bowl for both teams, matching Minnesota and Texas Tech for most appearances. K-State appeared in the first Texas Bowl, losing to Rutgers in 2006, while A&M defeated Northwestern in 2011. Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin is 4-2 in bowl games, including 3-1 at A&M. The Wildcats’ Hall-of-Fame coach Bill Snyder is 7-10 in bowls, all at K-State. Statistically, K-State has the advantage on both sides of the ball in the running game, while A&M has the advantage in the passing game.
The Series
Texas A&M holds an 8-7 lead in the all-time series between the two teams. However, K-State has won the past three meetings in the series, including the teams’ last game as Big 12 Conference opponents, a 53-50 Wildcat victory in quadruple overtime in 2011. That was one of the games that cemented Collin Klein’s legendary status, as he threw for a touchdown and ran for five more, including the game-winner.
Odds
A selection of online oddsmakers have the Aggies as 2.5- to 3-point favorites with an over/under of 56.5 to 57. That suggests a final score of about 30-27 in favor of A&M.
Kickoff
Texas Bowl XI kicks is scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m. CST, Wednesday, Dec. 28, at NRG Stadium (capacity 72,220) in Houston.
Television
Dave Fleming (play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (analyst), and Laura Rutledge (sideline) will call the game, televised nationally on ESPN.
Radio
Wyatt Thompson (play-by-play), Stan Weber (analyst), and Matt Walters (sideline) will broadcast the game on the K-State Sports Network, while Bill Rosinski (play-by-play), David Norrie (analyst), and Ian Fitzsimmons (sideline) call it on ESPN Radio and SiriusXM Channel 80.
Online
Television broadcast available on WatchESPN. The K-State Sports Network radio broadcast will be available for livestreaming online at kstatesports.com.