The 2023 Texas Bowl is taking place at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, with the matchup of 7-5 Texas A&M and the 9-4, Big 12 Championship runner-up Oklahoma State Cowboys. The Aggies come in here losing four out of their last seven games. Texas A&M has appeared in 42 bowl games in their program’s history. The Aggies have a 20-22 record in their 42 bowl games. Oklahoma State comes into this one winning seven out of their last nine games. The Cowboys have appeared in 33 bowl games in their program’s history. They have a 21-12 record in those 33 games. These two teams used to play each other all the time when Texas A&M was in the Big 12, so these two schools are no strangers to one another. The Cowboys are 2-point favorites here with the over/under at 54.5. Here is my preview for the 2023 Texas Bowl. 

Texas A&M Aggies

The Texas A&M Aggies enter life without Jimbo Fisher. Offensively, the Aggies average 34.2 points per game while averaging 418.6 total yards of offense. The Aggies have a lot of guys going into the transfer portal or they are opting out of the bowl game. Starting quarterback Max Johnson is transferring to North Carolina and will not play in this game. The Aggies will be without their two leading receivers Ainias Smith and Evan Stewart. Third string quarterback Jaylen Henderson will get the starting nod in the bowl game. If the Aggies want to win this game, they have to come together and want to win this game. I have doubts that this team will come out ready to compete. 

Defensively, the Aggies were good this year. They allow 21.3 points per game and give up 315.7 total yards of offense. The Aggies will be without seven defensive starters including leading tackler Edgerrin Cooper. Texas A&M gave up 30+ points in three games this season and the Aggies are 0-3 in those games. If the Aggies want it, they will show it defensively. You will find out early on in this game if Texas A&M wants to be there. 

Oklahoma State Cowboys

The Cowboys continue to prove the doubters wrong. Mike Gundy helped this team achieve goals that people didn’t think they were capable of. The Cowboys average 29.5 points per game and average 428.2 total yards of offense per game. Oklahoma State has a big time playmaker in running back Ollie Gordon. Gordon rushed for 1,614 rushing yards (2nd in the nation) on 6.3 yards per carry and 20 rushing touchdowns (2nd in the nation). As good as he was, Alan Bowman, their starting quarterback, has been what they needed this season. He threw for 3,058 passing yards and added 13 passing touchdowns to 12 interceptions. The Cowboys will need these two to be great playmakers for one more game to get their tenth win of the season. 

Defensively, the Cowboys were not great. They allowed 29 points per game and gave up 452.2 total yards of offense per game as well. Oklahoma State has been a lot better defensively in years past, but Mike Gundy always finds a way to win. This defense has given up 30+ points in eight games in 2023 including their last four. They have a 4-4 record in those games which is not a bad record to have when they have that many games giving up that many points. Look for the Cowboys defense to step up to get Mike Gundy his 8th 10 win season with this bowl win. 

Betting Trends

-Texas A&M are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games.

-Texas A&M are 1-4 straight up in their last 5 games.

-Oklahoma State is 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games.

-The over is 6-2 in Oklahoma State’s last 8 games.

The Don’s Best Bet 

This Texas Bowl should be an intriguing matchup if both sides actually care. I love Oklahoma State -130 for two units. This is my second two unit play of the bowl season, the first one didn’t go over too well. However, in this one I am confident that the Aggies don’t care and that the Cowboys want to win this bowl game. Ride the Cowboys for a two unit masterpiece to end the night off with a trip to the cash counter.