Ranking the 10 best non-New Year鈥檚 Six bowl matchups
8. TaxAct Texas Bowl: Texas A&M vs. No. 20 Oklahoma State
Texas A&M went through some turmoil in 2023, including firing head coach Jimbo Fisher. Mike Elko has been hired to get the program back on track, but it will be interim head coach Elijah Robinson leading the Aggies against Oklahoma State on Dec. 27 in Houston. These programs are more familiar opponents than most on this list as they have played 28 games overall and have met in 13 contests since 2000. The Aggies lead the series with 18 wins.
Getting another win over the Cowboys may be difficult with the turnover the Aggies have had since the end of the regular season. Texas A&M went 7-5 thanks to a top-10 defense in the country, but has lost several players on that side of the ball to the transfer portal including standout defensive lineman Walter Nolen. Oklahoma State should not be as impacted by transfers and opt outs, and still has star running back Ollie Gordon II who ran for 100 yards or more in eight of the Pokes鈥� final 10 contests. Consistency will be the key for 9-4 Oklahoma State which has had some surprising wins in 2023, but also some head-scratching losses.
