Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas: Complete Preview for Texas A&M vs. Northwestern

Texas A&M and Northwestern will battle for a winning record as the two 6-6 teams play in the 2011 Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas. 

Both teams have underachieved this season but boast some exciting players, particularly on offense. This should be an entertaining game to watch with compelling story-lines for both teams. 

Where: Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

When: Saturday, December 31 at 12:00 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN, ESPN 3

Listen: ESPN Radio

Key Storyline

It will be interesting to watch how Texas A&M responds after the firing of Mike Sherman. Sherman was let go after posting a 25-25 record during four years in College Station. He won’t stay to coach the Aggies in the Texas Bowl. 

Motivation for bowl games is difficult enough to gauge without a coaching change. Will the Texas A&M players lose focus in the wake of this news? Will they rally around the interim coach and each other? The answer to these questions will have a major impact on the outcome. 

Who Might Not Play

Aggies running back Cyrus Gray missed the final game of the regular season due to injury. Gray sustained a stress fracture in his left shoulder in a November 19th game against Kansas. He was questionable to play in A&M’s last game so it will be interesting to see how healthy he is by the end of December. As a senior, this is Gray’s last chance to play for the Aggies. 

What It Means For Texas A&M

There will be a new coach on the sidelines for Texas A&M in 2012. Without a new coach in place, there’s not much to build on heading into next season. That means the Aggies will be playing for pride in their bowl game. 6-6 wasn’t the season anyone expected in College Station.

Perhaps a win in their final game will make the disappointment less painful.

What It Means For Northwestern

For the Wildcats, 2011 was an equally disappointing season. With quarterback Dan Persa returning for his senior season, this was supposed to be Pat Fitzgerald’s best team. Despite their inconsistent play, Northwestern has been better down the stretch and a bowl win could build positive momentum for next year. 

What They’re Saying

Texas A&M interim head coach Tim DeRuyter certainly isn’t down on his Aggies.

In regard to their bowl chances, he said, “We feel like we’re going to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and we’re going to practice our tails off. I plan on putting a product out on the field in our game against Northwestern so that Aggies are going to be extremely proud to call themselves Aggies. They are going to see fight from some guys. We plan to play as well as we have all season long."

Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald is excited about his team's opportunity. "This is an exciting time for Northwestern football as we head to our fourth consecutive bowl game,” Fitzgerald said.  The Wildcats will be seeking their first bowl win since the 1948 Rose Bowl. 

Texas A&M Player to Watch: Jeff Fuller

Expectations for Fuller, just like expectations for the team, were through the roof following an outstanding junior season. In 2010 he eclipsed both 1,000 yards and 10 touchdown receptions.

The 2011 season has been a disappointment for Fuller, who has just 709 yards and five touchdowns on the season. In his last game though, Fuller surpassed 100 yards for the first time all season. Look for Fuller to have another big game in his final showing for the Aggies. 

Northwestern Player to Watch: Jeremy Ebert

Although Dan Persa is the most well-known of Northwestern’s stars, it’s his top receiver Jeremy Ebert who has been most consistent for the Wildcats. The senior wide receiver has caught passes for over 1,000 yards this season along with 11 touchdowns. Northwestern should lean on Ebert as they attack an Aggies pass defense in the bottom 10 of all FBS teams. 

Key Matchup: Texas A&M Running Backs vs. Northwestern's Front 7

Texas A&M’s offense is at it’s best when it’s balanced. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill has averaged 49 passing attempts in his team’s six losses. Cyrus Gray is coming off of injury but Christine Michael has also looked good this season.

The Northwestern defense gives up 184.8 rushing yards per game but must make the Aggies one-dimensional if they hope to win the game.

Prediction: Texas A&M 35, Northwestern 31

The Aggies may face the challenge of an interim coach but a senior laden group will want to go out as winners. Northwestern has played better down the stretch but has benefited from a weak schedule. If Texas A&M has any semblance of a running game, the Aggies should be too much for the Wildcats.