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3 things to know for the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl

Need a brief primer before you attempt to watch all 40 bowl games this season? We’ve got you covered. Here are three things you need to know about the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl.

ADVOCARE V100 TEXAS BOWL
Kansas State (8-4) vs. Texas A&M (8-4)
Dec. 28, 9 p.m. ET
ESPN

– Hey, it’s an old Big 12 matchup. The two teams met 10 times as members of the Big 12 from 1996-2011. The Big 12 series was a 5-5 split; all of Texas A&M’s wins came from 1998-2005. Overall, the teams have played 15 times and Texas A&M has an 8-7 series lead.

The last time the Aggies and Wildcats met was on Nov. 12, 2011, when Kansas State won 53-50 in four overtimes. The quarterbacks that game were Ryan Tannehill and Collin Klein. Remember them?

Kansas State QB Jesse Ertz has run for more TDs than he's thrown. (Getty)
Kansas State QB Jesse Ertz has run for more TDs than he’s thrown. (Getty)

– Kansas State quarterback Jesse Ertz can go over 1,000 yards rushing with 55 rushing yards Wednesday night. Ertz has scored 10 rushing touchdowns and averages nearly six yards a carry.

But Ertz doesn’t lead the team in rushing touchdowns. That honor goes to short-yardage specialist and fullback Winston Dimel, who has 30 carries for 92 yards and 12 touchdowns. Yes, 40 percent of Dimel’s carries have gone for touchdowns. That’s Bill Synder-ball at its finest.

Texas A&M quarterback Trevor Knight has 10 rushing touchdowns too. Knight has 594 yards rushing; second on the team to RB Tray Williams, who has 147 carries for 1,024 yards and eight touchdowns.

Trevor Knight said he'll play in the Texas Bowl despite a November shoulder injury. (Getty)
Trevor Knight said he’ll play in the Texas Bowl despite a November shoulder injury. (Getty)

– Passing efficiency is neither team’s strong suit. Knight is completing just 52 percent of his passes and Ertz has completed less than 57 percent of his. And both average less than seven yards a pass.

Knight has thrown for more yards and the edge passing the ball may go to the Aggies because of their pass defense. A&M is in the top 50 in pass defense while Kansas State (in the pass-happy Big 12) is No. 86 in the country. It’ll be fascinating to see how Snyder and offensive coordinator Dana Dimel scheme the run and pass game to try to nullify the impact of Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett, a likely top-three pick in the NFL draft if he declares.

Mascot prediction: According to the official A&M site, an Aggie is simply a student at Texas A&M. Assuming the student is armed with simply a backpack full of books, the edge goes to the wildcat.

Real predictions
Graham Watson: Kansas State 30, Texas A&M 21
Nick Bromberg: Texas A&M 31, Kansas State 27
Sam Cooper: Texas A&M 33, Kansas State 26
Chris Herbert: Kansas State 28, Texas A&M 27

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!