Thor Nystrom tracks players opting out of upcoming bowl games as well as the coaching changes around the college football landscape. Thor will update the article through the remainder of the season to keep you updated on bowl games, college prospects, and the 2023 NFL Draft.
And below we’ll take a closer look at the upcoming bowl game: Texas Bowl.
Check out Thor’s projections for all college football bowl games 
Texas Bowl: College Football News, Player Opt-Out Tracker & Game Preview (Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss)
- Wednesday, December 28 | 8:00 PM
- Ole Miss (-3.5) vs. Texas Tech | Total: 70
ATL: Miss -4.1 | ATT: 72
Texas Tech
- QB Donovan Smith (Transfer portal)
- QB Behren Morton (Injury)
- TE Mason Tharp (Injury)
- OG Michael Shanahan (Transfer portal)
- OT Ethan Carde (Transfer portal)
- DT Philip Blidi (Transfer portal)
- LB Tyree Wilson (Injury)
- LB Bryce Ramirez (Injury)
- S Reggie Pearson Jr. (Transfer portal)
- S Kobee Minor (Transfer portal)
LB Wilson had posted 14 TFL prior to suffering a season-ending injury on Nov. 12 against Kansas. QB Tyler Shough is expected to start with youngster QB Behren Morton still on the mend from his ankle injury.
Morton is considered questionable – if he’s active, it’ll be as the QB2. The Red Raiders will be without the services of QB3 Smith, looking for a new home in the portal, so they assuredly hope Morton can give it a go.
TE Tharp, a starter, is questionable with an undisclosed injury. OG Shanahan and OT Carde were buried on the depth chart.
DT Blidi was a rotational linemen whose work can be replaced. LB Ramirez is out for the season after suffering a serious leg injury in his first-career start back in September.
S Pearson was a starter who played heavy snaps, but PFF panned his work with a ghastly 53.4 grade. Nickel defender Minor likely would have been in line for heavier snaps in the bowl – especially after he played quasi-starter minutes the last two games – but he’s also looking for a new home.
Ole Miss
- QB Luke Altmyer (Transfer portal)
- RB Isaiah Woullard (Transfer portal)
- WR Dannis Jackson (Transfer portal)
- WR Bralon Brown (Transfer portal)
- TE Michael Trigg (Injury)
- OG Jalen Cunningham (Transfer portal)
- EDGE Demon Clowney (Transfer portal)
- EDGE Brandon Mack (Transfer portal)
- LB Jaron Willis (Transfer portal)
- CB Miles Battle (Transfer portal)
- S MJ Daniels (Transfer portal)
- K Caden Costa (Suspension)
TE Trigg was a difference-maker, but he was knocked out for the campaign in early-October with a broken collarbone. K Costa has been serving a one-year suspension for use of banned substances. It’s possible he could be cleared for return in the bowl, but it’s unclear if that will happen.
QB Altmyer, WR Jackson, and DE Clowney were all reserves. CB Battle, however, played 322 snaps in all 12 regular season games, posting 33 tackles with five passes defended and an interception.
The rest of the players above wouldn’t have seen big roles in this game – it’s possible HC Lane Kiffin pushed most of them out the door to clear room for his already-famous portal machinations.
Coaching News
Mississippi OL coach Jake Thornton left to join Hugh Freeze’s Auburn staff.
Whether you’re new to fantasy football or a seasoned pro, our Fantasy Football 101: Strategy Tips & Advice page is for you. You can start with our Beginner’s Guide to Daily Fantasy Football or head to a more advanced strategy — like A Guide to Orchestrating Early Season Trades — to learn more.
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