Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl
Vanderbilt (6-6) vs. Baylor (6-6) Time, TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
Site: NRG Stadium, Houston
Reasons to watch
Neither side could quite get its respective season going until it absolutely had to come up with a win. Baylor went 1-11 last year in Matt Rhule’s first season. Vanderbilt went four consecutive seasons without a winning campaign. For most programs, getting to a bowl game is expected, but for these two, it’s truly a reward earned.
Baylor’s offense might not be anything special or consistent, but the team has found ways to pull off enough wins. In a winner-take-bowl showdown, the Bears came through in Arlington, Texas, to beat Texas Tech, and boom — now they have a shot at a winning season.
Vanderbilt was 3-5 but competitive against the Notre Dames, Floridas and Kentuckys of the world. With three wins in the final four games, the Commodores found an extra gear.
Players to watch
WR Jalen Hurd, Baylor: The former Tennessee running back had a whale of a season. The 6-4, 217pound ultra-tweener ran for 209 yards and three scores, but he came to Baylor to be a receiver, and he turned into one, leading the team with 69 catches for 946 yards and four scores. TE Jared Pinkney, Vanderbilt: Kalija Lipscomb turned into the breakout receiving star with 81 catches, but Pinkney was the reliable main man. The veteran caught 45 passes for 698 yards and seven scores, stretching the field for over 15 yards per catch.