Utah to play Texas in Alamo Bowl

After the disappointing conclusion to the season with the Pac-12 Championship Game loss, the Utes now know their destination and opponent for their bowl. Utah will play Texas in the Alamo Bowl on New Year’s Eve in San Antonio. Not the destination that Utah wanted, but it will be an intriguing matchup none-the-less going against the national brand of Texas in a bowl game. This is just the second time that the Utes will play Texas, the previous game was in 1982 where Utah lost 21-12.

This team deserved a New Years Six Bowl game, but the lack of wins bumped Penn State above the Utes, which gave them the Cotton Bowl. It’s an argument that is a valid one, but disappointing none-the-less, because this program, being a Power 5 runner-up and winner of 11 games, deserves that stage. The Alamo Bowl is a bitter sweet consolation prize.

The best part is we get to watch this Utah team play one more time and go for that 12th win. I’m doubting we’ll see Julian Blackmon, as Whitt alluded to him having a serious injury after the title game. I’m also wondering how many of the NFL guys we may see suit up. This is what I hate about bowl season now, the fact that so many top guys elect to sit out. I get it on the business side, but it hurts the joy of bowl season. So the question is will we see Zack Moss, Jaylon Johnson, Leki Fotu, Bradlee Anae and others? I really hope so, I want to see those guys suit up one last time. We’ll find out in the coming days what the chances of any of them skipping the bowl game will be.

As for the Longhorns, they are coming off of a 7-5 season, where they went 5-4 in Big 12 play. Their losses are to LSU, Oklahoma, TCU, Iowa State and Baylor. Two of those losses are of course to CFP teams. Those are some quality losses, so Utah will no doubt have their hands full, especially in Texas’ backyard.