Texas A&M vs. Northwestern: What You Need to Know About the 2011 Texas Bowl

Texas A&M is going to take on Northwestern in the 6th annual Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas.

Both teams enter the contest at 6-6 and are looking to finish their season with a winning record.

They are also both fighting for conference pride. In the 2010 Texas Bowl, Illinois blew out Baylor. A&M looks to get some of the respect back for the conference in the last football game that they will ever play as representatives for the Big 12.

The Aggies are moving to the Southeastern Conference in 2012. SEC teams regularly torment Big 10 schools in bowl games, so it will be interesting to see if the Aggies are up to the task.

Details of the 2011 Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas

When: December 31, 2011, at 11 AM CST

Where: Reliant Stadium Houston, TX

Television: ESPN

Who is favored: Texas A&M by 10

Texas Bowl Is the Home of Future Stars

In the five-year history of the Texas Bowl, there have been 37 individual players who have gone on to play in the NFL.

Notable NFL players like Josh Freeman, Jordy Nelson, Ray Rice, Kenny Britt, Andy Dalton, Donnie Avery, Blaine Gabbert and Aldon Smith all played in the Texas Bowl.

Seniors on the A&M team who should play in the NFL include Ryan Tannehill, Cyrus Gray, Jeff Fuller, Tony Jerod-Eddie, Coryell Judie and Terrence Frederick.

Playmakers to Watch

Northwestern

No. 2 QB/RB/WR Kain Colter

2011 Stats: 53-79 660 yards 5 TDs passing, 589 yards 8 TDs rushing, 40 receptions 454 yards 3 TDs receiving

No. 11 WR Jeremy Ebert

2011 Stats: 71 catches 1025 yards 11 TDs

Texas A&M

No. 17 QB Ryan Tannehill

2011 Stats: 300-491 3.415 28 TDs 14 INTs Passing

No. 32 RB Cyrus Gray

2011 Stats: 198 carries 1,045 yards 11 TDs

No. 25 WR Ryan Swope

2011 Stats: 81 catches 1,102 yards 11 TDs

What If It Comes Down to a Kick?

If the game comes down to the kicking game, then the Aggie have the advantage.

Randy Bullock was the Lou Groza Award winner for the Aggies. He finished the year 25-of-29 on field goals and made 52-of-54 extra point attempts.

Purdue kicker Jeff Budzien was 6-of-10 on field goals and made all 48 of his extra point attempts.

Matchup to Watch

If you want to know what to watch for early to determine who will win the game, watch how the Northwestern offensive line blocks the Aggies pass rush.

A&M leads the nation in sacks with 43 on the season. The Northwestern offensive line has struggled mightily in pass protections.

The Wildcats have given up 34 sacks this season.

If the Wildcats cannot block the Aggies early, then that will note bode well for Northwestern.

How Will Tim DeRuyter Start off His Coaching Career?

When Mike Sherman was fired, Aggie defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter was named the interim head coach. He recently accepted the head coaching position at Fresno State.

He will remain on the staff to coach the bowl game while new head coach Kevin Sumlin is on campus and trying to build a staff.

This will be DeRuyter's first game as a head coach, and it will be interesting to see if he can get the first win of his career before he moves on to Fresno.