Despite getting blown off the field by eventual Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III and the Baylor offense in their last game of the regular season, the Texas Longhorns are -3 point favorites over the California Golden Bears in the 2011 Holiday Bowl.
While both teams have 7-5 records, Texas did it against a substantially tougher schedule, with wins over a 9-3 BYU team in non-conference play as well as a 6-6 Texas A&M team that was once ranked in the top 10 in the country.
California, meanwhile, played only two non-conference games and feasted on an extremely weak Pac-12 schedule. The Bears have only one victory against a team above-.500 this season, a 34-10 win over the 7-5 Utah Utes.
The teams have one common opponent this season -- 6-7 UCLA. Texas defeated the Bruins 49-20 in Los Angeles, while California lost 31-14.
The Longhorns have struggled against the high-flying passing attacks in the Big 12, but they are well suited to play a Golden Bear team whose offense is built around a rushing attack led by 5'8 190 junior Isi Sofele. Sofele has rushed for 1,270 yards and 9 TD's on 5.5 yards per carry this season.
Texas offense, meanwhile, will be looking for more consistent play from the QB position, as neither freshman David Ash nor sophomore Case McCoy has been able to take firm hold of the job all season.
With neither offense clicking on all cylinders, the odds-makers have set the over/under for the Dec. 28 game at 47.