Texas Tech, Michigan State will square off in Alamo Bowl
By John Whisler - Express-News
Texas Tech and Michigan State, two teams with high-powered offenses and a history of loyal followings, are headed to San Antonio to play in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Jan. 2 at the Alamodome.
Bowl officials are hoping the formula will help boost attendance after last year's game drew 55,986 fans, which was the smallest turnout since 2002.
“This is a great matchup,” Alamo Bowl president and CEO Derrick Fox said Sunday. “Both teams play an exciting brand of football. We're anticipating a shootout.”
But Fox stopped short of predicting a sellout. Seating capacity at the dome will be 65,000.
“With the economy the way it is, travel's going to be an issue with all the bowls,” he said. “But I would anticipate a stronger attendance than what we had last year.”
The 2008 game featured teams from the Midwest: Missouri and Northwestern. Having a Texas team in this season's contest should enhance fan appeal, Fox said.
It will be Tech's third Alamo Bowl appearance.
In 1996, the Red Raiders lost to Iowa 27-0 in front of 55,552 fans. But in 2001, 65,232 showed up to see both teams again. Iowa won 19-16.
Texas Tech, which won five of eight conference games, finished tied for third with Oklahoma in the Big 12 South behind Texas and Oklahoma State.
The Red Raiders rank second in the nation in passing, with an average of 380.7 yards per game. They're ninth nationally in scoring, at 36.7 points.
This will be Tech's 16th straight bowl appearance.
“You've got two good teams,” Tech coach Mike Leach said. “It should be an exciting game.”
Well here is my consolation prize. Though it still pains me that Nebraska went down in Dallas, I now get to see my alma mater play at my former employer's bowl game as the Red Raiders will invade San Antonio late this month. This now sets up my BYB Vacation as I have asked the liquor store for a week of freedom so I can volunteer at the bowl.
So to all you Red Raiders, come and visit me in San Antone this New Years and buy tickets to the Bowl. The Riverwalk lit up is one of the coolest things you'll ever see and you can walk to all the bars. You can even get a pizza delivered at 4 a.m. Damn, I love S.A.
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