California vs. Texas: 5 Players You Need To Watch in the 2011 Holiday Bowl

The Holiday Bowl, which will pit two 7-5 teams—California and Texas—against each other, obviously isn't shaping up to be one of the premier bowl games of the postseason, but if you dig deeper into this matchup, you'll see that these two teams definitely have the type of playmakers that could actually make this game worth checking out.

The Longhorns and the Bears may have had mediocre campaigns in 2011, but both teams definitely have a few players that are worth the price of admission.

Here's a look at five impact players you need to keep an eye on in the 2011 Holiday Bowl.

1. RB Isi Sofele, California

With so many quality running backs in the Pac-12 this year, Cal's Isi Sofele didn't get a ton of national publicity before the season started, but he certainly made a name for himself with his performance in 2011.

Sofele was one of the most valuable weapons for Cal's offense this year, as he rushed for 1,270 yards and scored nine touchdowns.

The 5'8'', 190-pound junior isn't the biggest back around, but he's got the strength and physicality to run in between the tackles, and he also has the speed and shiftiness to make things happen on the outside.

With the likely departures of Oregon's LaMichael James and Washington's Chris Polk, Sofele has the chance to really become a big name in the conference in 2012.

2. RB Malcolm Brown

Malcolm Brown arrived at Texas this year with high expectations, and the former 5-star recruit certainly didn't disappoint in his first season.

The 6'0'', 215-pound freshman missed three games due to injury, but he still managed to rush for 707 yards and score five touchdowns.

Brown has as much natural ability as any other back in the country, and he's got the potential to be a star in 2012.

It will be interesting to see how he fares in the Holiday Bowl against a tough Cal defensive front seven.

If Brown has a big outing, it will help him build some momentum going into 2012.

3. DE Alex Okafor, Texas

After the departure of last year's defensive line leader Sam Acho, Alex Okafor knew he had to step up and become an impact player this season, and Okafor did just that.

The 6'4'', 260-pound junior emerged as one of the premier pass-rushers in the country, as he racked up six sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss.

Okafor and teammate Jackson Jeffcoat form one of the best sets of defensive ends that you're going to find in college football, and they can both be a nightmare to deal with for an offensive line.

4. LB Mychal Kendricks, Cal

California LB Mychal Kendricks won the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year award for a reason this year, as Kendricks truly was the biggest impact defender in the league in 2011.

This year, Kendricks racked up 95 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, and he was the main reason the Bears finished second in the Pac-12 in total defense.

The 6'0'', 240-pound senior may not have the prototypical size that NFL scouts are looking for, but Kendricks is still going to be playing on Sundays next year.

5. WR Keenan Allen, California

There's no need to debate about who the best receiver playing in the Holiday Bowl will be.

This year, California's Keenan Allen distinguished himself as one of the top offensive playmakers in the country, as he hauled in 89 passes for 1,261 yards and scored six touchdowns.

The 6'3'', 205-pound sophomore is the type of receiving threat that warrants double coverage, and the Texas defense better make sure it knows where No. 21 is on every snap.

Other Players To Watch

QB Zach Maynard, California

WR Marvin Jones, California

DE Trevor Guyton, California

S Sean Cattouse, California

WR Jaxon Shipley, Texas

DT Kheeston Randall, Texas

DE Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas

LB Emmanuel Acho, Texas

LB Keenan Robinson, Texas

S Kenny Vacarro, Texas