The Big 12’s Texas Longhorns will attempt to salvage another disappointing season later this evening when they square off against the PAC-12’s Oregon State Beavers in the 2012 Alamo Bowl. Start time in tonight’s Alamodome showdown between the two major conference players is set for 6:45pm ET; the game will be broadcast live on ESPN. 2012 Alamo Bowl Odds have Oregon State listed as a -3.5 against the spread favorite and the Over/Under set at 57.5 points. Texas is presently getting +150 odds as a money line play, meaning every $100 bet returns $150 in the event of a Longhorns straight up win.

Another highly ranked recruiting class, a boatload of returning talent…with those things in its favor Texas would surely return to its proper place among college football’s elite, at least that is how most pundits viewed the situation back in August. But the Longhorns did not, finishing a respectable, but disappointing (relative to expectations) 8-4.

At one point Texas appeared as though it would reach the double digit win total it had become so accustomed to; however, it followed four straight conference wins with season ending losses to TCU and Kansas State, ensuring that even a bowl victory would leave it short of the mark.

Perhaps the biggest letdown for Longhorn fans was the play of its much ballyhooed defense. Texas, which was lauded as one of the nation’s top defenses in the preseason, finished the regular season ranked 72nd (29.4) and 74th (412.3) in points and yards per game allowed respectively.

While Oregon State is not known as an offensive juggernaut, it can put points on the board and will do so if Texas failed to shore up some of its weaknesses during bowl preparations. The bigger concern for the Longhorns, though, will be finding their own way into the end zone.

Texas turned in some impressive offensive performances this season, but it also had its share of dogs. Oregon State, which finished a surprising 9-3 this season, forced a number of teams into sub-par offensive outings as its stingy defense yielded just 19.8 points per game and ranked among the nation’s top 30 against the run.

Free Pick: Take Oregon State -3.5.

2012 Alamo Bowl Odds:

Texas Longhorns +3.5 (-105), Over 57.5 (-110), +150 (Moneyline)

Oregon State Beavers -3.5 (-115), Under 57.5 (-110), -170 (Moneyline)

College Football Free Pick: Oregon State vs. Texas Betting
What college football bettors need to know about Oregon State Beavers vs Texas Longhorns on Saturday (12/29/12) - a free pick from Pregame.com's Bryan Leonard, with Marco D'Angelo and host Scott Spreitzer.

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