AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl: Texas A&M Aggies vs. Kansas State Wildcats

Date: Dec. 28, 9 p.m. ET on ESPN

Location: NRG Stadium | Houston

Kevin Sumlin and the Aggies continued their trend of struggling in November. Texas A&M lost three of its final four regular-season games after a 7-1 start. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Texas A&M

Best moment: The Aggies’ 45-38 double-overtime win over then-No. 9 Tennessee was a wild one. Texas A&M led by 21 points in the third quarter and were within feet of icing the game in the final two minutes only to fumble near the goal line and open the door for a Vols’ comeback, but the Aggies got it done in the second overtime.

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Lowest moment: With its College Football Playoff fate in its hands, the then-No. 4 Aggies let it all slip away in a disastrous trip to Starkville, Mississippi, losing 35-28 to Mississippi State and virtually ending their playoff hopes. Trevor Knight was injured in the loss, and the defense gave up a season-worst 365 rushing yards, both of which sparked a November nosedive where A&M went 1-3 overall and 0-3 vs. SEC teams.

Key player: Myles Garrett is the Aggies’ best player, but Knight is the most important one. The difference in Texas A&M’s offense with him and without him is stark because Knight’s running ability adds a dimension to the offense that no other quarterback on the roster currently does. When Knight is at his best -- and to be fair, he was good, not great, this season -- the Aggies are hard to beat.

Motivation level: It might be a little higher than you think because this will be the last game for a lot of key Aggies: Knight, receiver Josh Reynolds, defensive end Daeshon Hall, safety Justin Evans and starting offensive tackles Avery Gennesy and Jermaine Eluemunor are all seniors, and Garrett is likely to enter the NFL draft and some others (perhaps receiver Ricky Seals-Jones) are likely to consider early entry. -- Sam Khan Jr.

Kansas State is led by head coach Bill Snyder, who recorded his 200th career win earlier this season. AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

Kansas State

Best moment: Though they didn’t play their best, the Wildcats defeated Kansas 34-19 on Nov. 26 to give coach Bill Snyder his 200th career win, before carrying him on their shoulders off the field. Snyder became the sixth coach to win 200 games at only one university.

Lowest moment: The Wildcats had an opportunity to get off to a terrific start in Big 12 play, taking a 16-3 lead at West Virginia into the fourth quarter. K-State, however, couldn’t hold on, and Matthew McCrane misfired on a 43-yard field goal attempt that would’ve given the Wildcats the lead again in the final two minutes.

Key player: Defensive end Jordan Willis emerged as a Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year contender after topping the conference in sacks. He moved into third place in school history and into the top 10 in Big 12 history in career sacks.

Motivation level: Snyder usually finds a way to have his team motivated. The Wildcats have also improved as the season has gone on, so ending a positive note should be a factor in the locker room. -- Jake Trotter