2011 Bowl Games: 3 Teams That Will Carry Momentum into Next Season

The most important aspect of a bowl game is winning, but building a head of steam going into next season is a close second. Ending on a high note gives programs that fell short of their ultimate goal reason to believe things will be different next season.

Here are three marquee programs that will accomplish exactly that during bowl season.

Texas Longhorns

Texas underwent a minor rebuilding process this season, finishing the campaign 7-5. Case McCoy and David Ash split time at quarterback with both guys suffering through growing pains and Malcolm Brown was still getting his feet wet at running back as well.

Almost all of the Longhorns' main contributors on offense are expected to return next season. Playing in a bowl game will give them some valuable experience in high-pressure situations, which will come in handy over the next couple years when Texas gets back into the thick of things.

Bowl Game: Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl (vs. California, Dec. 28)

Georgia Bulldogs

The Bulldogs had an opportunity to shake up the BCS with a win over LSU in the SEC title game but came up short. They also lost their other two big tests against Boise State and South Carolina, so it was a season of missed chances for Georgia.

Just like Texas, Georgia has a lot of core players who are still developing. Aaron Murray continued to look like a potential elite SEC QB in his second season under center and the defense made some big strides before getting torched by LSU. There's enough building blocks to be confident about the future.

Bowl Game: Outback Bowl (vs. Michigan State, Jan. 2)

South Carolina Gamecocks

South Carolina endured a lot of turmoil throughout the season and still managed to finish 10-2. The most notable setback was losing star running back Marcus Lattimore, whose game-changing presence was never replaced. He should be back and better than ever next season.

Connor Shaw stepped in when Stephen Garcia was dismissed and actually outperformed the controversial QB. Shaw and Lattimore combined with a defense that ranked 13th in the nation and will return several key cogs, which should be enough to produce a memorable season in 2012.

Bowl Game: Capital One Bowl (vs. Nebraska, Jan. 2)