College Football
2018 Advocare Texas Bowl Preview
The 2018 Advocare Texas Bowl kick-off classic is less than three weeks away. The classic, played the first Saturday in September, is the official kick-off to the college football season. This year’s game pits the SEC against the Big 12. It is a match-up that pits Ole Miss against Texas Tech in a 2009 Cotton Bowl rematch. Ole Miss won 47-38. This year Texas Tech enters with unanswered questions. The Rebels enter looking to build on a strong 2017 finish. Here is a breakdown of what to watch for in the 2018 Advocare Texas Bowl.
Texas Tech Questions
First, who is the quarterback? Without a field general, there isn’t much hope for this offense. The three who are vying for the position don’t show much promise. McClane Carter is technically the incumbent as the only one that has time under center at the collegiate level. Before arriving at Tech, he threw for more than 3,000 yards and 30 TD’s at Tyler Junior College including seven straight 300 yard games. The other two possibilities include Jeff Duffy and freshman Alan Bowman.
Second, assuming the Red Raiders have a quarterback, who is going to catch the ball? Outside of sophomore TJ Vasher, there are no clear-cut receivers on this squad. Vasher started late and came on strong hauling in 29 receptions for 545 yards and six scores. Seth Collins seems to be the best shot to help take up the receiving slack. The Oregon graduate transfer has had a college career beset by injuries. Then comes a trio of pass catchers that includes Eric Ezukama, Myllar Royals and Houston’s Kisean Carter. None have caught a college ball yet.
Third, who backs up running back Tre King (623 yards, 5TD’s)? Desmond Nisby transferred out leaving head coach Kliff Kingsbury with red shirt sophomore Da’Leon Ward. That might be it unless a fullback turns out to be a bulldozer. That is just as muddled as last year’s starter Mason Reed tries to rebound from injury and unseat former linebacker Tyler Carr, who took his place and was also unimpressive.
Ole Miss has answers
First, the Rebels have a coach in Matt Luke. The born and bred Mississippian played for the Rebels, was an offensive coach for the Rebels and then stepped in to keep the ship upright in the wake of the Hugh Freeze debacle. Luke kept the team together through a difficult stretch last season. Now, he has an opportunity to cement himself in Mississippi football lore.
Second, Ole Miss has a proven quarterback in Jordan Ta’amu. The dual threat quarterback showcased his wares over the final five games of 2017: 115 of 173 for 1632 yards and 11 TD’s. Now with an off-season to prep for a season of his own, there is little doubt that the only Ole Miss signal caller to throw for more than 350 yards in back to back SEC games is ready for the spotlight at the 2018 Advocare Texas Bowl.
Third, the Rebels have a receiving game and a run game to go with their quarterback. On the rushing side, JUCO transfer Scottie Phillips and Ole Miss’ first 1,000 yard rusher since 2009 Eric Swinney are ready to roll. With a flourishing run game, quarterback Jordan Ta’amu will have all day to throw to the likes of A.J. Brown (75 for 1252 yards & 11 TD’s), DaMarkus Lodge (41 for 698 & 7 TD’s) and D.K. Metcalf (39 for 646 yards & 7 TD’s). All this without even talking about tight end Dawson Knox. Knox pulled in 24 for 321 yards with 20 of those receptions coming after Ta’amu took over under center.
The Final Word
With an Ole Miss offense being ranked second in the nation and first in the SEC, the 2018 Advocare Texas Bowl has the possibility of being one for the ages. One team will walk away feeling good about the start to their season. The other will walk away from Advocare Texas Bowl disappointed. Either way both coaches are ready to get things started.
Because of sanctions from the Freeze era, Ole Miss doesn’t have the opportunity to play in a 2018 bowl game but you wouldn’t know it from listening to their head coach Matt Luke.
“They’re talented, unselfish, and they work really hard,” Luke said. “They’re very driven. They push each other to be better, and that’s what I like about those guys.”
Texas Tech finished the season 6-7 and a bowl game loss. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury says they are ready to prove that 2018 will be a great year for Red Raider nation.
“I am excited about the overall talent for this team over 70 scholarship players on campus this spring so it created a lot of competition, a lot of depth. We feel we’ve made strides on both sides of the football.”
