A&M QB Jake Hubenak has a big opportunity in Music City Bowl

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl
Texas A&M (8-4) vs. Louisville (7-5)
Nashville
Dec. 30, 2015

For the second consecutive season, Texas A&M is dragging itself into a bowl game.

After starting the year 5-0, the Aggies won three of their next eight games and finished 4-4 in conference play. It wasn’t the type of season many expected from a team with two of the nation’s most promising young quarterbacks and a new defensive coordinator that promised a better defensive effort.

Things went from bad to worse for the Aggies after the regular season when quarterbacks Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray both decided to transfer, leaving the Aggies with junior college transfer Jake Hubenak as the only scholarship quarterback on the roster and the only hope in Wednesday’s Music City Bowl.

The Louisville defense has to be licking its chops.

The Louisville defense ranks No. 14 in total defense, allowing 323 yards per game and 24.3 points per game. It led the ACC and is tied for seventh nationally with 27 turnovers.

Louisville comes into the game on a high. It won five of its final six games and averaged 37.8 points during that span. Quarterback Lamar Jackson isn’t as much of a passing threat as he is a running one. He led the team in rushing yards with 734 and nine touchdowns. He also passed for 1,613 yards and 10 touchdowns with eight interceptions.

Texas A&M’s revamped defense has played well this season. It’s only allowing 367 yards per game and 21.6 points per game. During Louisville’s final six games, it turned the ball over 17 times, which could be a major advantage for the Aggies.

Overall, all eyes will be on Hubenak as he not only tries to win the game, but also tries to cement himself as the Aggies 2016 starter. In his Texas A&M career, Hubenak has completed 12 of 27 passes for 92 yards and one touchdown.

Picks

Graham: This is a tough first start for Hubenak, especially against one of the nation’s best defenses. If he can limit turnovers, he’ll have a chance, but that’s a big if. Louisville 38, Texas A&M 21.

Nick: Can Texas A&M bounce back after all of the ridiculousness of the past few weeks? Louisville’s defense is very good. I’ll go with the Cardinals here. Louisville 20-17.

Sam: Neither of these teams is very good, but maybe Texas A&M can rally around Jake Hubenak after losing Kyler Murray and Kyle Allen to transfer. Maybe, but probably not. Louisville 24, Texas A&M 20.

For more Louisville news, visit CardinalSports.com.

For more Texas A&M news, visit AggieYell.com.

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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday

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