Bowl Preview: Fiesta Bowl

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.
Ohio State vs. Texas
Date: Jan. 5
Time: 8 p.m.
TV: FOX
Line: Texas -8.5

About Ohio State: If this were 1992, the Buckeyes would be renowned for their innovative offensive and defensive schemes. As it is, they look like they should be playing with leather helmets and drop kicks. Coach Jim Tressel is still convinced the punt and not turning the ball over are the two most important things in football. Scoring points is somewhere in the teens.

Intangibles:
Kirk Herbstreit: -4
Woody Hayes: +2
Average age of coaching staff; 84: -2
Last two national title games: -5

About Texas: The Longhorns were one dropped interception from playing in the national title game (assuming a Big 12 championship win over Missouri. A fair assumption.) As it is, tough crap. Next time don't drop the interception. Colt McCoy and 10 other guys play on offense. Brian Orakpo and 10 other guys play on defense. Mack Brown is still the coach, although he's slowly morphing into the Bobby Bowden "I sit on a golf cart and say funny things" role.

Intangibles:
Bevo: +3
Austin: +2
Rest of Texas: -4
Matthew McConaghey: -2

Impact Player: OSU guard Steve Rehring loves Christmas break. Steve loves eating. Steve doesn't like working out so much. Steve is big. Steve is slow. Steve is slower after Christmas break.

Bowl slogan: "The Fiesta Bowl proudly welcomes...what?! Ohio State AGAIN? Criminy. Why not just buy a timeshare."

Little known fact: Hey Texas players, how about wearing some freaking underwear with those white pants? I'm tired of having to check out your junk every time you make a tackle.

Watchability (1-5): 4

The Pick: Texas 30, Ohio State 24