• Holidays in Houston: Baylor to face Vanderbilt in Texas Bowl

    Bowl-bound: Baylor vs. Vanderbilt

    After a one-year absence, Baylor is going bowling again — and in familiar territory, although against an unfamiliar foe.

    Baylor football is headed to Houston for the holidays, as the Bears will face Vanderbilt in the Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl (Dec. 27, 8 p.m., ESPN) at NRG Stadium, home of the NFL’s Houston Texans.

    “It’s an absolute home run,” said Baylor head coach Matt Rhule on Sunday following the announcement. “It will be a tremendous opportunity for us to go into Houston and play in front of our family and friends. The older guys are excited to play one of their last games in Houston.”

    The Bears will face an SEC team for the first time since 1995, when Baylor hosted Mississippi State, and will square off against Vanderbilt for the first time since the 1950s. Baylor swept a two-game series from the Commodores in 1953-54, winning 47-6 in Waco and 25-19 in Nashville a year later.

    Tickets are available through Baylor, with prices ranging from $85-125; notably, these seats span the sideline — much better than Baylor’s allotment at other recent bowls (including the 2010 Texas Bowl). Need something new to wear? Bowl gear (and other Baylor football paraphernalia) is available now through the Baylor Bookstore.

    A special plan for Baylor students is in the works; follow Baylor Student Activities on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for details when they are available later this week. For the first time EVER, current Baylor students can run the Baylor Line at a bowl game! That option is available as part of a student package that includes a game ticket, spirit item and dinner — all for just $25!

    Fans can find hotel, transportation and other information about bowl events on the Texas Bowl website, or check out one of the official travel packages for Baylor fans from Anthony Travel. The Baylor Alumni Network is working on events in Houston on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday in advance of the game; stay tuned for more details on that. For news, updates and more, bookmark BaylorBears.com’s Bowl Central.

    Sic ’em, bowl-bound Bears!