Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - Despite a remarkable season, the Texas Tech Red Raiders did not receive a BCS bowl bid, and they will battle the Ole Miss Rebels on January 2nd in the Cotton Bowl.

These teams have split their previous four meetings overall and have met twice in bowl games. Ole Miss beat Texas Tech in both the 1986 and 1998 Independence Bowls. Speaking of the Rebels, they have exceeded expectations in the first season of the Houston Nutt era. Coach Nutt, who was recently named the SEC Coach of the Year, has led his squad to an 8-4 overall record and Ole Miss is the only team that has beaten the mighty Florida Gators this season. Three of the four losses by Ole Miss have come by seven or fewer points, and the team closed out the regular season with five consecutive victories, including a 45-0 romp over rival Mississippi State in the finale.

The Rebels are 19-12 all-time in bowl games, and they are making their fourth Cotton Bowl appearance. They beat Oklahoma State by three points in the 2004 Cotton Bowl, and they are 6-1 in their last seven postseason tilts.

As for Texas Tech, it posted an 11-1 regular-season record, best in school history, and the team's 7-1 Big 12 mark was also an all-time best for the program. The Red Raiders carried a 10-0 record into a road clash with Oklahoma on November 22nd, and a 65-21 beating in that game cost the squad a shot at the national title and a BCS bowl bid as well.

Still, head coach Mike Leach deserves a ton of credit for the job he has done in Lubbock. "When you look at all the great tradition and college football history that is tied to the Cotton Bowl, you can't help but be excited to be a part of that," said Leach recently. "Our team has worked hard to be in this position and I am grateful to the Cotton Bowl for rewarding their efforts."

Texas Tech is 10-20-1 all-time in bowl games, but has won its last two postseason encounters.

Ole Miss is averaging 30.8 ppg and nearly 400 yards of total offense per contest, and it is tremendous balance that has been the key to the squad's offensive success. The club's quarterback is Jevan Snead, a transfer from the University of Texas. Snead seemed to get better as the season progressed, and he has passed for 2,470 yards and 23 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. As a runner, Snead has reached the end zone three times, and he has enough athleticism to avoid rushers and buy time in the pocket.

The top receiver on the Ole Miss roster is Shay Hodge, as he has 42 catches for 676 yards and eight touchdowns. Another player to keep an eye on is Mike Wallace, as he has racked up 704 yards and six touchdowns on only 35 grabs.

As for the ground attack, players such as Cordera Eason, Dexter McCluster and Brandon Bolden have combined to put up strong numbers through 12 games.

"It goes without saying that they were very, very excited," said coach Nutt at his Cotton Bowl press conference. "Jevan Snead especially being from Texas, he's really pumped up."

Opponents are scoring just 17.8 ppg against Ole Miss, which has quietly played tremendous defense this season. Running the ball against the Rebels has proven to be nearly impossible, as the squad is holding foes to 83.9 rushing ypg and an average of 2.5 yards per attempt. The pass defense hasn't been quite as strong, permitting 11.4 yards per completion and 209.8 ypg, but Ole Miss does have the same number of interceptions (14) as passing touchdowns allowed. The Rebels are holding opponents to 30 percent success on third-down conversion attempts and have a stellar total of 36 sacks to their credit.

Peria Jerry has made 17 TFLs this season, including six sacks, and Jamarca Sanford leads the team with 80 total tackles. Kendrick Lewis is second on the roster with 78 stops and tops with four interceptions.

The defenders will be challenged by a Texas Tech offense that is one of the most explosive units in all of college football. "We've been in the film room today a little bit and I can tell you what a job Texas Tech has done," said Nutt recently. "Quarterback Graham Harrell is so cool and confident and the receivers he has and their defense are underrated."

Speaking of the Red Raiders, they rank second in the Big 12 and fourth in the nation in both total offense (536.2 ypg) and scoring (44.6 ppg). The offense is led by Harrell who recently won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, presented annually to the nation's top senior quarterback. He has completed 71.5 percent of his passes for 4,747 yards and 41 touchdowns against seven interceptions. While he finished the regular season with negative rushing yards, Harrell did reach the end zone six times on the ground.

There is no question that Harrell has benefited tremendously from the presence of star wideout Michael Crabtree, a super sophomore who continues to assault the record books. He has 93 catches for 1,135 yards and 18 touchdowns this season, numbers that are actually down from his unbelievable freshman campaign a year ago.

The ground attack is paced by Baron Batch and Shannnon Woods, who have combined for 1,412 yards and 19 scores.

In many games this season, Texas Tech played fairly well defensively. Unfortunately, most fans only remember the Oklahoma game, as the Red Raiders looked completely helpless against the nation's premier offense. Tech is allowing 26.2 ppg and 371.6 total ypg this season, and the club has surrendered 37 touchdowns to opposing offenses. Foes are only gaining 3.9 yards per attempt on the ground against the Red Raiders, who have registered 30 sacks and 26 takeaways.

Darcel McBath has intercepted six passes this season, and Brandon Williams has recorded 11 sacks. As for Brian Duncan, his 89 total tackles are tops on the roster.

Texas Tech earned a share of the Big 12 South Division title, and McBath reflects on the accomplishment with pride. "Coach (Leach) handed us the trophy and it felt good. We have seen it in a lot of locker rooms, and it feels good to see it in ours." Expect the defense to play with plenty of intensity against Ole Miss.