The Holiday Bowl has developed a reputation for exciting games over its history. This season's game between Texas A&M and California should be no different. The Aggies and Bears both average more than 400 yards of total offense, making them two of 19 teams in the country to accomplish the feat. A&M appears to have more momentum heading into this game, particularly after the No. 21 Aggies' stunning victory at Texas to conclude the regular season. No. 20 Cal, touted to be a dark-horse challenger for the national championship, limped home with two losses in its last three regular-season games and was nearly upset by Stanford in its regular-season finale. The Aggies' most surprising strength has been Gary Darnell's defensive unit, which permitted only 230 yards against UT and seemed to be peaking at the end of the season. The transformation has been dramatic after A&M ranked 109th in total defense and last in the nation in pass defense last season.
The Aggies could rattle streaky Cal quarterback Nate Longshore, who struggled against better opponents. Longshore finished the regular season in a slump, failing to complete 50 percent in any of Cal's last three games. It will be important for A&M's pass rush to keep consistent pressure against the inexperienced Longshore, who can be susceptible to turnovers. But Cal's rushing attack will test the Aggies' mettle. Cal TB Marshawn Lynch will be the best back A&M has faced this season. Cal ranks only 90th in total defense, but has a key playmaker in Lott Award winner Daymeion Hughes. A&M QB Stephen McGee needs to be aware of him at all times. The Bears' biggest edge in this game will be on special teams. Sophomore DeSean Jackson has already returned five punts for touchdowns in his brief career. Cal also ranks seventh in net punting and kicker Tom Schneider has a stronger leg than A&M's Layne Neumann. The Aggies looked flat in a 38-9 Cotton Bowl loss to Tennessee after the 2004 regular season in coach Dennis Franchione's only other bowl appearance with A&M. That was the same year Cal threw a clunker in a 45-31 Holiday Bowl loss to Texas Tech, although the Bears rebounded for a 35-28 triumph over BYU last season. A&M should be better prepared this time around, buoyed by their late-season charge and a chance to cement a Top 25 finish with an upset. It might be asking too much to expect them to claim the victory, but look for them to cover the five-point spread as Cal's dominant special teams will prove to be the difference in a tight 27-24 Bears' victory.
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