PFB Picks: Predictions for Oklahoma State’s Texas Bowl Matchup with Texas A&M

Oklahoma State is in Houston to face Texas A&M in the Texas Bowl for the second time in four years.

The Cowboys will look to make it 10 wins for the eighth time under Mike Gundy and push his bowl record to 12-6. They could also rinse some of that sour taste still lingering from the thumping the Pokes took from Texas in the Big 12 Championship and finish 2023 on a high note. Across the field, OSU will face an A&M team that’s been as in flux as any team in the country with massive portal transfers and an overhaul of the coaching staff.

The PFB staff convened to discuss the Texas Bowl and how we see things playing out. Here are our predictions.

Marshall Scott

Score: Oklahoma State 35, Texas A&M 31

Game MVP: Brennan Presley

Uniform: Orange (Cursive)-Black-Black

Thoughts: With all the turnover going on in College Station, it’s hard to make sense of what this game is going to look like. The Aggies undoubtedly have a ton of talent, but they’ll be relying on some guys to step up with their portal losses. OSU meanwhile is coming off a poor performance in the Big 12 title game but can reach the mythical 10-win number. I think the Pokes just have a bit more to play for Wednesday, so I think they pull it out.

As for my MVP prediction, Brennan Presley has been known to go off in a bowl game. In three bowl games, he is averaging 109.7 receiving yards and 1.3 receiving touchdowns a game.

Kyle Cox

Score: Oklahoma State 31, Texas A&M 24

Game MVP: Ollie Gordon

Uniform: White (Cursive)-Black-White

Thoughts: It’s hard to know what to expect from a Texas A&M team that’s had so much change with its roster and coaching staff. That being said, I’m going with the Cowboys who are in the mode of building on this year’s success versus the Aggies, who are trying to figure out what next year’s team looks like. I’m taking the over and the (more) consistent Cowboys to win.

We have yet to see the W-B-W in this uniform set, and with the Cowboys the home team in Houston, now is the time.

Dekota Gregory

Score: Oklahoma State 31, Texas A&M 21

Game MVP: Ollie Gordon

Uniform: Orange (Cursive)-Black-Orange

Thoughts: No one from Texas A&M actually wants to make the short trip from College Station for this Texas Bowl. Almost every guy making decisions is gone, the guy leading the Aggies is already worried about his next destination and 13 players are in the portal. All that will be evident Wednesday night. On the flip side, the Pokes are still concerned with goals of capping this season with 10 wins to build for a 2024 that will still include the best running back in the country. I also need the Cowboys to reach 10 wins to prove I wasn’t drunk on orange Kool-Aid in August.

Speaking of Ollie Gordon, gas prices may skyrocket Thursday morning after A&M donors witness Gordon firsthand and are desperate for more NIL money to try to persuade Gordon to change his mind and go back to his home state to play. Gordon runs for over 150 yards and scores more than once after a frustrating outing in the Big 12 Championship.