*****Valero Alamo Bowl Game Thread: Texas Longhorns vs #11 Utah Utes*****

[HornSports Staff]

The Texas Longhorns (7-5, 5-4) will make their 56th all-time bowl appearance tonight when they face off against the Pac-12 runner-up Utah Utes (11-2, 8-1) in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Texas last played over a month ago when they defeated Texas Tech 49-24 in Austin.  Utah was on the doorstep of the college football playoffs, but lost to Oregon in the PAC-12 Championship Game 37-15 on December 6th. The meeting will be just the second between these two programs, with the Longhorns besting the Utes 21-12 in 1982 at Darrell K. Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin.

Texas appears to have the health back of several key players, including senior wide receiver Collin Johnson. Johnson, along with fellow seniors Brandon Jones and Devin Duvernay, received invitations to the NFL Combine but will play in the Alamo Bowl.

Utah will be without star defensive back Jaylon Johnson, who opted to prepare for the NFL Draft and forego playing in the Alamo Bowl.  The Utes are also without safeties Julian Blackmon and R.J. Hubert who are recovering from injury.

What: Texas Longhorns (7-5, 5-4 Big 12) vs. Utah Utes (11-2, 8-1 Pac-12)
When: Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Time:  6:30 PM CST
Venue: Alamodome
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Television: ESPN
The Line: Utah -7

Last Meeting Between the Two Teams: Texas defeated Utah 21-12 (September 18, 1982, Austin, TX)
All-Time Series Record: Texas leads Utah 1-0-0

The Coaches



[COLOR= #ff0000]Utah Utes[/COLOR]


Head Coach:  Kyle Whittingham
Head Coaching Experience: 15th year as a head coach
Years as Head Coach at Utah:  15
Career Record:  121-63
Career Record at Utah:  121-63


[COLOR= #993300]Texas Longhorns[/COLOR]


Head Coach:  Tom Herman
Head Coaching Experience: 5th year as a head coach
Years as Head Coach at Texas:  3
Career Record:  46-19
Career Record at Texas:  24-15


Relevant Articles & Information

• What to expect from new defensive coordinator Chris Ash
  
• Mike Yurcich officially hired as Offensive Coordinator
  
• Utah Preview: Defense
  
• Utah Preview: Offense
  

 

[primal defense]

This is the last day of the year and the last day of the decade. Good riddance!
 
This decade can't be over soon enough as far as Texas football. UT had a 70-57 record for the decade going into this game. That's an average of 7 wins a season and an average of 5.5 loses per season.
 
Hopefully, a win tonight will help with a new start next year for the next decade because this one stunk.

 

[killerjoe]

How much influence, if any, will Ash have on the defensive game plan tonight ?

 

[primal defense]

How much influence, if any, will Ash have on the defensive game plan tonight ?

My best guest is 

 

[MikeV73]

Sports radio not thinking Brandon Jones is playing.

 

[Oldmanastro]

Sports radio not thinking Brandon Jones is playing.

The “getting ready for the draft” card? (Ha!) or legitimately injured?

 

[texbound]

The “getting ready for the draft” card? (Ha!) or legitimately injured?

I bey he plays.  I'm wondering who is going to play at LB.  You have Ossai, Ayodele, McCuloch and Mitchell.  I'm hoping Overshown plays more of an OLB role this game.  Gotta have thay boy on the field.  He is just a playmaker.

 

[DBut82]

The “getting ready for the draft” card? (Ha!) or legitimately injured?

He's legitimately injured. His shoulder. He's dressed. Herman said pregame hopefully he can get in on 3rd downs

 

[DBut82]

Also, anyone watching on LHN with Craig Way?

 

[HORNfromETX]

Also, anyone watching on LHN with Craig Way?

Watching it on ESPN, let's see how long until I turn the sound off. Lol

 

[drgilbert]

Wish we could have finished that with a TD. 

 

[drgilbert]

D kicked as on that series 

 

[texbound]

Looks lile Cort Jaquess got the start at LB.  Okay.

 

[Earl Nobis Jefferson]

What is the story on Brandon Jones, they just said hes hurt and won't play.  Or is he protecting draft potential?

 

[HORNfromETX]

They're getting pressure on every pass down...smh

 

[drgilbert]

Back to our shit play calling. Thanks Tom

 

[Bevostuntdouble]

Does every passing play have to be that slow developing? Dammit! 

 

[MikeV73]

OL needs to hold blocks on these passing plays.  Handoff looked methodical and easy to diagnose.  Have we seen much play action all season?  Do we hold blocks long enough for play action?

 

[Bear19]

Back to our shit play calling. Thanks Tom

I would say that was more poor execution.