Following a season of high expectations and associated disappointments for each of the Valero Alamo Bowl invitees, 11th-ranked TCU will battle No. 15 Oregon, both with hopes of some postseason redemption. The two prolific offenses meet in San Antonio, Texas, under the lights of the Alamo Dome with the tone of their respective offseasons hanging in the balance.
A little dramatic, sure, but true for the most part.
The Ducks are fresh off ending last year as the runner-up, falling in the national title game against a rolling Ohio State. To compound the matter, senior quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota was finally forced to give up his uniform, leaving for the NFL with the program just within reach of a championship.