Texas Bowl Preview: A&M Looks To Secure Eight-Win Season Over No. 20 Oklahoma State
While Texas A&M won't end its 10-game true road game losing streak in Houston come Dec. 27, it can at least extend its winning streak at NRG Stadium.
The Aggies return to the home of the Houston Texans for the first time since 2019 for a showdown in the TaxAct Texas Bowl. Their opponent? A familiar face from the last go-around in front of what should be a vibrant A&M fan base making the trip down the road.
No. 20 Oklahoma State found its way back to Arlington for a shot at the Big 12 title after starting the season off 2-2 with back-to-back losses against South Alabama and Iowa State. Behind the legs of All-American running back Ollie Gordon II and a potent defense, the Cowboys won five straight, including picking up victories over No. 23 Kansas and No. 9 Oklahoma in the final Bedlam Series.
The two programs have distinct similarities to the roster construction entering NRG Stadium. The Aggies lost to an ACC school (Clemson) and finished 4-4 in conference play. The Cowboys featured the nation's leading rusher and had four losses attached to their name.
A&M won 24-21 thanks to a second-half surge from mobile quarterback Kellen Mond. Jaylen Henderson, who started the final three games of the regular season, possesses similar traits to that of the former four-year starter and could break free for a big-time run late in the fourth quarter.
Could history duplicate itself four years later?
Follow along with AllAggies.com over the next week as we preview everything surrounding A&M's matchup with the Pokes.
Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Jaylen Henderson (16) hands off the ball to running back Amari Daniels (4) during the first quarter at Kyle Field.
Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Record: 9-4 (7-3 Big 12)
Head coach: Mike Gundy
Gundy is closing in on his 19th season with the Cowboys. He's 165-79 all-time at Oklahoma State.
Bowl game record: Under Gundy, the Cowboys are 11-6 all-time in bowl games.
Offensive Players to Monitor:
QB Alan Bowman
While far from perfect, Bowman is a veteran who understands offensive concepts and isn't afraid to let one rip. In 13 starts, he completed 59.7 percent of his throws for 3,058 yards and 13 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. He also threw for over 300 yards on four different occasions.
Turnovers seem to come in a bundle. He's recorded three multi-interception performances, including a three-interception performance against Central Florida. He's also been well-protected behind an offensive line that's allowed just nine sacks — seven on Bowman — all season.
RB Ollie Gordon
Gordon is the engine that keeps OSU hanging around. Since Week 4, he's rushed over 100 yards on eight occasions and scored 18 of his 20 touchdowns. Most of his damage also seems to come in the fourth quarter.
Gordon was held to 34 yards against Texas' top-five run defense and only averaged 2.6 yards per run. Outside of that, he's averaged at least 4.1 yards per rush in every game besides the blowout loss to UCF. Gordon also is highly effective as a receiver, averaging 8.8 yards per catch.
WR Brennan Presley
Consistent in the slot, Presley is a ball magnet. He leads the Pokes in receptions (85), yards (839), and receiving touchdowns (6) and has been one of the better receivers in the Big 12. This season, the 5-9 pass-catcher has six games of nine-plus catches, including a 15-reception, 189-yard outing against Houston.
WR Rashod Owens
Consider Owens as the first-down receiver. He's averaging 13.8 yards per catch, and his three touchdowns have all come on plays inside the red zone. Owens led the Pokes in touchdowns against the Longhorns earlier this month with two grabs.
Defensive Players to Monitor:
LB Nickolas Martin
Martin does a bit of everything. He blitzes, defends the run and plays above average for a linebacker in coverage. His 133 tackles are a team-high. So are his six sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. Martin also ranks second in interceptions (2) and third in forced fumbles (1).
DB Cameron Epps
A building block for the future, Epps could have asked for a better first season as a starter. His team-leading three interceptions carried weight in wins over Cincinnati and Kansas State. His 35 tackles also ranked top-five among Pokes' players.
DB Korie Black
While he only notched one interception, Black did total a team-leading five pass breakups. His 13 tackles ranked fourth among defensive backs, but his lone pick set up a win over West Virginia.
