Texas A&M Vs. LSU: 2011 Cotton Bowl TV Time & Predictions

The 2011 Cotton Bowl football game between the Texas A&M Aggies and LSU Tigers is scheduled for January 7 (8 PM EST) at Cowboys Stadium. FOX channel will broadcast this game. Texas A&M is 17th in the BCS with a 9-3 record; LSU ranks #11 in the country, enjoying a strong record of 10-2. This article offers TV time and predictions for the 2011 Cotton Bowl football game between Texas A&M and LSU.

1) Texas A&M-LSU Matchup

Friday's Cotton Bowl Classic features two Southern football powerhouses in the Texas A&M Aggies and LSU Tigers. The Aggies is currently on a 6-game winning streak, during which the team has beaten strong teams like Oklahoma, Texas, and Nebraska. Although the Tigers lost their last regular season game, the team has claimed victories over four ranked teams including Alabama and Florida. The two teams last met in 1995; Texas A&M won that game 33-17.

2) Ryan Tannehill vs. Jordan Jefferson

The last non-BCS bowl of the season pits two quarterbacks with limited effectiveness against one another. Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill was not the team's starter at the beginning of the year; he took over the starting position midway through the season. Nonetheless, Tannehill was impressive in his six starts enjoying a strong QB rating of 141. LSU's Jordan Jefferson, on the other hand, has been lackluster. As a passer, Jefferson has thrown for only 1253 yards with 4 TDs. As a rusher, he has contributed 383 yards and 6 TDs. Both of these marks are not exactly mind-blowing. Statistically speaking, Tannehill has been a slightly better quarterback this season.

3) Mike Sherman vs. Les Miles

=>CONTINUE ON PAGE 2

Although the Cotton Bowl is not one of the four major bowls in college football, it typically receives the same amount of attention due to heavy promotion. The well-attended bowl game has generally backed up its popularity with excellent team match-ups; this year won't be any different. The Cowboys Stadium is set to welcome two Southern darlings in Texas A&M and LSU. Although each team has had its share of struggles this season, the two schools have also had their moments of brilliance. Hopefully, this contest will bring out the best of each team.

Texas A&M comes into this game on a 6-game winning streak. Mike Sherman's team has managed to achieve this by being solid on both offense and defense. The Aggies rank 37th in points scored and 27th in points allowed. Throughout the season, Texas A&M has shown great adaptability. Against offensive-minded Oklahoma, the team outscored its Sooners 33-17. Against defensive-minded Nebraska, Sherman's crew held the Cornhuskers to only 6 points in a narrow victory. Texas A&M has a decent shot at winning this game, if the team can execute another perfect game plan.

LSU owes much of its success this season to the team's formidable defensive unit. Most of the team's big wins this year have been a direct result of LSU's terrific defense. In fact, Les Miles' team ranks 11th in college football in points allowed. On the offensive front, the team has been shockingly poor. This is due to two factors: Les Miles' defensive mentality and an absence of a quality quarterback. In 12 starts, LSU's starting QB Jordan Jefferson has 9 INTs to only 4 TDs. This contest is shaping up to be a low-scoring affair, where the final outcome is likely to be settled on one big defensive play.

My prediction for the 2011 Cotton Bowl football game between the Texas A&M Aggies and LSU Tigers: Texas A&M wins 14-10. Kickoff time for the game is 8:00 PM EST. Fox channel will broadcast this contest.

Reference:
ESPN.COM