Previewing Monday bowls: Liberty, Russell Athletic, Texas

Monday's bowl games

Liberty Bowl in Memphis

Texas A&M (7-5) vs. West Virginia (7-5)

Time/TV: 2 p.m. ET/ESPN. Surface: Artificial.

Glantz-Culver line: West Virginia by 1½. Sagarin difference: A&M by 1.93.

Bowl records: A&M 16-19, WVU 14-18. Series: (first meeting).

Synopsis: The Monday bowl lineup begins with this matchup of potentially explosive offenses, but the potential for both went largely unrealized in the latter half of the 2014 campaign. The Aggies were ranked as high as No. 7 after starting 5-0, but a collapse as life in the SEC West got more difficult prompted a QB change and a re-evaluation of the season's goals. The Mountaineers were likewise riding high with a 6-2 record that included an upset of Baylor and a No. 22 ranking, but a three-game November skid put a damper on the season in Morgantown as well. WVU will be without its opening-day starter at QB, though for a far different reason. Clint Trickett had to give up the sport entirely because of repeated concussions, so the reins will be turned over to Skyler Howard. He has five TD passes without a pick this season and directed a win against Iowa State in the finale, but facing DE Myles Garrett and the Aggies' rush will be a different challenge. On the plus side, Howard should benefit from the presence of WR Kevin White, a big 6-3 target with 1,318 receiving yards. The Mountaineers' arsenal also includes WRs Mario Alford and Jordan Thompson. Freshman Kyle Allen supplanted Kenny Hill atop the depth chart for A&M with mixed results. The highlight was a four-TD outing in an upset of Auburn but a pair of competitive losses to Missouri and LSU followed. His main concern will be Mountaineers' CB Daryl Worley as he looks for his own top catchers, WRs Josh Reynolds and Speedy Noil.

Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando

No. 18 Clemson (9-3) vs. No. 24 Oklahoma (8-4)

Time/TV: 5:30 p.m. ET/ESPN. Surface: Artificial.

Glantz-Culver line: Oklahoma by 4. Sagarin difference: Oklahoma by 5.53.

Bowl records: Oklahoma 28-18-1, Clemson 18-18. Series: Oklahoma 2-1 (Clemson won last meeting 13-6 in 1989 Citrus Bowl).

Synopsis: The first meeting of this postseason of teams ranked in the Amway coaches poll is finally at hand. Poll pundits might argue that the Sooners shouldn't be, particularly after their season closed with a resounding thud in a Bedlam loss to Oklahoma State. But Oklahoma, perhaps more than any other team in the postseason, might benefit from the time off. QB Trevor Knight (neck) has been cleared to play, and TB Samaje Perine (ankle) and WR Sterling Shepard (groin) should also be back up to speed. They're going to be needed as Knight contends with the Tigers' excellent front line featuring DE Vic Beasley and DT Grady Jarrett. The down time will not help Clemson's QB situation, however. Deshaun Watson had a knee reconstruction surgery after leading the closing win against South Carolina. Cole Stoudt has plenty of experience, but much of it hasn't been good. WRs Mike Williams and Artavis Scott must do their best to help him out if the ball is anywhere in their vicinity. Tigers' TB Wayne Gallman is flashy, but he won't have much room to operate against LB Eric Striker and the Oklahoma defense without a credible aerial threat.

Texas Bowl in Houston

Arkansas (6-6) vs. Texas (6-6)

Time/TV: 9 p.m. ET/ESPN. Surface: Artificial.

Glantz-Culver line: Arkansas by 6½. Sagarin difference: Arkansas by 12.17.

Bowl records: Texas 27-23-2, Arkansas 13-23-3. Series: Texas 56-21 (won last meeting 52-10 in 2008).

Synopsis: These longtime Southwest Conference rivals renew acquaintances, adding another measure of intrigue to a contest that both teams should be well-motivated to win as they look to finish above .500 and validate their respective rebuilding efforts. First-year Longhorns coach Charlie Strong and second-year Razorbacks head man Bret Bielema have defensive backgrounds and have made their biggest impact on that side of the ball, so this contest isn't likely to feature much in the way of pyrotechnics. Arkansas relies on TBs Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams to move the sticks. They're going to become very familiar with Texas LBs Jordan Hicks and Steve Edmond, too much so if QB Brandon Allen can't provide some air cover. Longhorns' QB Tyrone Swoopes has improved his passing game as the season has progressed, and he'll have to play a clean game to keep standout LB Martrell Spaight and the stingy Arkansas run stoppers honest.

Jeff Sagarin's power ratings show the relative strength of teams.