There are only 10 days until the 2013 Alamo Bowl where the Oregon Ducks will face the Texas Longhorns. Every day we’ll post a meaningful photo from the year to recap the eventful season and get fans prepped for Oregon’s matchup in the Lone Star State. Be sure to check out the rest of the Emerald’s football coverage leading up to the game.

In his first year as head coach for the Ducks, head coach Mark Helfrich was widely seen as taking the driver’s seat of a nationally competitive program from his predecessor, Chip Kelly. Pre-season expectations ran high, with Oregon ranked No. 2 as the regular season kicked off against the California Bears, and Oregon fans seemed confident that their Ducks were headed to a record fifth straight BCS game. Whispers of a national championship matchup against the Alabama Crimson Tide trailed the Ducks as they rolled over their first eight opponents. Stunning upset losses on the road against Stanford (26-20) and Arizona (42-16), however, put Helfrich under the intense spotlight of fans and critics alike, who have questioned the freshman coach’s ability to prepare his team. With Texas head coach Mack Brown set to step down after his final game with the Longhorns, can Mark Helfrich silence his critics with commanding and well-coached victory in the Alamo Bowl?

Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich shouts in frustration at the referees after OSU completed an extra point during the second quarter. The No. 13 Oregon Ducks play the Oregon St. Beavers at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Nov. 29, 2013. (Michael Arellano/Emerald)