Alamo Bowl, December 29

Penn State
vs
Texas A&M
Dec. 29 / 8 p.m. ESPN

This is Joe Paterno's 500th game as a head coach. Texas A&M's new head coach Mike Sherman won't even be coaching this game. Quite a difference going into the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Texas. Penn State has won 4 of their last 5 bowl games and 9 of their last 12. Texas A&M hasn't had nearly the same post season success, losing 6 of the last 7 including getting destroyed by Cal last season in the Holiday Bowl. This game features teams that are actually mirror images of each other outside of the coaching situation as they both have power running games that overshadow somewhat shakily efficient passing games.

The two teams come into this game with very different results in their final regular season game. Penn State had hopes of a much bigger bowl game when they met Michigan State the last week of their season. Instead they gave up 28 points in the second half, losing the game 35-31. Texas A&M, on the otherhand, beat their hated rivals in the Texas Longhorns. This might actually be a bad thing for the Aggies as they might be looking back on their victory against Texas instead of looking ahead towards beating the Nittany Lions.

The Big 10 needs this game. So far the Big 10 is 1-1 in bowl games with Purdue's win over Central Michigan and Michigan State's loss to Boston College. A PSU win over a weaker than normal TAMU opponent would help the league going into a tough stretch of 5 more games including the national title game with Ohio State against LSU. For Penn State to win they'll need senior QB Anthony Morelli to finally step up in a big game and be the quarterback everyone hoped he would be when he was recruited. After a dissappointing career in Happy Valley, Morelli will be looking to end his career on a high note. The Nittany Lions will also look for LB Dan Conner and company to bring the defense they are known for.

For Texas A&M it will be a steady diet of big man Jorvorskie Lane running over people and speedster Mike Goodson. Hopefully for Aggie fans, interim coach Gary Darnell will utilize Lane more than departed Coach Fran did over the second half of the season. Logic says to go with Joe Pa and the Nittany Lions, but I'm just feeling the Aggies come out loose, pressure Moreilli, and run the ball effectively even on this stout defense.

Line: Penn State -4.5, Total 52.0