AT&T Cotton Bowl
No. 6 Arkansas Razorbacks vs. No. 8 Kansas State Wildcats
Jan. 6, 8:00 pm ET
Cowboys Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Website: http://www.attcottonbowl.com
TV: FOX
Line: Arkansas -7.5
Bobby Petrino versus Bill Snyder – call this one the “Darth Vader Bowl.”
Sadly, this is the only match-up pitting the Big 12 against SEC, which look like the two strongest conferences this year. Expect one of the better atmospheres of the bowl season inside JerryWorld Friday night. Plenty of people don’t realize it, but these are two passionate fan bases.
Making This All Possible
AT&T is a titan of the telecommunications industry. Phones, mobile broadband, TV – AT&T has its fingers in plenty of pies.
Get To Know: Arkansas
The Razorbacks finished third behind Alabama and LSU in the nation’s toughest division, the SEC West. Junior quarterback Tyler Wilson operates Petrino’s dangerous “power spread” scheme. Arkansas finished the year 14th nationally in scoring offense at 37.4 points per game. The defense, however, is mediocre, allowing 5.29 yards per play (51st).
Get To Know: Kansas State
The Wildcats are arguably 2011’s biggest overachievers. KSU has been playing pretty much the entire season without touted transfer Bryce Brown, who was expected to be the team’s top offensive weapon. Instead, the ‘Cats have emphasized the always sexy combo of a ball-control running game and winning the turnover battle. It’s not an exciting brand of football, but it was good for a 10-2 regular season.
You Should Know…
Neither of these coaches sleep in coffins… at least, that we know of.
If You’re Going
The Dallas area is teeming with classy joints like Redneck Heaven, which makes a trip to Hooters look like Good Friday Mass. If you’re willing to drop the dough, a steak at Del Frisco’s is a must.
My favorite watering hole in Big D is the Angry Dog in Deep Elum. Nice little dive bar serving excellent pub grub. I’ve hit this place up many a time to celebrate an Oklahoma win in the Red River Shootout.
If You’re Watching At Home
This game is taking place at the sporting world’s ultimate symbol of opulence. Your choice of food and beverage should be equally over the top.
When I think “excess,” I think Cheesecake Factory. Go with the chicken parm, which you’ll be eating for about three days, and finish off your meal with the house specialty. Dine-in or carry-out. (Although if you’re eating there, you’re not really watching at home, are you?)
Prediction
Purple Kansas has had a nice run this season, but the Wildcats don’t have the horses on defense to keep up with an offense of Arkansas’ caliber. KSU allowed an average of nearly 50 points per game against Baylor, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Texas A&M. Arkansas’ attack is at least somewhere around that group.
K-State has to hope that the Hogs make more than their fair share of mistakes, enabling the Wildcats to keep the ball out of Wilson’s hands. Ultimately, Arkansas just has too much firepower.
Arkansas 41, Kansas State 28
