Holiday Bowl: 5 Things We Learned from Texas' Win over Cal

It's a wrap in San Diego. Texas turned around a disappointing month of November with a 21-10 win over Cal in the 2011 Holiday Bowl.

Many times coaches will say that a bowl game is really the start of the next season. With that in mind, what did we learn from tonight that can be applicable as both teams go forward into the 2012 season?

Read on!

Cal's Rushing Game Didn't Improve After All

Looking at the stats this season, we saw that Cal was most successful when they were able to run the ball. They were 4-4 in their first eight games and averaged only 135.75 yards per game on the ground. In their final four games they averaged 230 yards per game and finished 3-1 (with a three point loss to Stanford).

Many, including myself, felt that Cal had improved in the ground attack. As it turns out, they are as inconsistent as ever.

Cal rushed 36 times for only seven yards. While many of that came from big losses to QB Zach Maynard, RB Isi Sofele rushed for only 52 yards on 20 carries.

Soefele seemed to have some running room at times, but Cal overall threw the ball as often as they ran. It's hard to keep pounding the ball when you aren't being entirely successful, but Cal would have been better suited to try and run the ball more often in a close game (particularly when they took over at the Texas 30-yard line down four points).

Marvin Jones Will Be Missed Next Season

Wide receivers Marvin Jones and Keenan Allen were a tremendous 1-2 punch this season and their exploits did not get enough credit.

Jones and Allen were the lone bright spots for the Bears tonight. The two combined for 17 catches for 170 yards. That's 170 of the Bears' 195 total yards!

They've been doing it all year. They combined for 143 receptions on the season.

Other Cal receivers on the year? Eighty-four catches. Other Cal receivers tonight? Two catches.

Allen will be back but Jones will be graduating. His loss will be big until another receiver can step up to help Allen.

Texas' Defense Could Be Very Good Next Year

Texas' defense was good at times this year, but never great. It steadily improved throughout the year, however, and will have several key players coming back next year.

They'll lose Emmanuel Acho and defensive MVP of the Holiday Bowl Keenan Robinson, but do return Alex Okafor, Ashton Dorsey, Kenny Vaccaro and Jackson Jeffcoat.

The defense was dominant Wednesday night, allowing only 195 yards rushing, seven of them on the ground. They tallied six sacks and forced five turnovers.

Texas' Offensive Line Will Improve

Texas has a very talented backfield. Unfortunately, they've either been injured or unable to find success running behind a young Texas offensive line.

The Horns' offensive line was made up of two freshmen, two sophomores and one senior. With four starters coming back, they will continue to improve.

They were able to wear Cal down as the game went on. One hundred five of the Horns' 109 rushing yards came in the second half. If they can do that all game, every game, next year, Texas will be very successful.

Marquise Goodwin Could Be a Viable Weapon Next Season

Goodwin is a freak athlete, evident by his status on the Texas track and field team and his gold medal in the 2008 World Junior Championships. Tonight he showed flashes of that athleticism translating to the football field.

Goodwin caught a long 47-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to put the Horns up 14-10. It would end up being the deciding score. He then gained 37 yards on the ground to set up the third and final Texas touchdown. Despite only touching the ball five times, he tallied 70 total yards.

He has tremendous speed and needs to be utilized more often next year. As a result of his other obligations, Goodwin only caught three passes in the first five games.  If he can play like he did tonight throughout the entire season he can be a solid playmaker for the Horns.