SAN ANTONIO — On the eve of Texas’ fifth appearance in the Valero Alamo Bowl, the lions at the San Antonio Zoo have made it clear they have their money on the Texas Longhorns.

Animal care specialists placed hand-painted boxes in the lion habitat with logos for both the Longhorns and the Colorado Buffaloes. Lioness Axelle made her prognostication by knocking over the Longhorn box while her parents, Sarabi and Tao, looked on in astonishment. Axelle then proceeded to carry the box away, ripping it apart in the process. 

The last time the Longhorns and the Buffaloes met was in 2009. Texas beat Colorado 38-14. 

Texas beat Utah 38-10 in the Alamo Bowl last year. This is the Buffaloes' third Alamo Bowl appearance. Colorado has a 12-17 bowl record and lost 38-8 to Oklahoma State in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 29, 2016.

Kickoff is Tuesday, December 29 at 8 p.m. on ESPN.

For tickets and information, click here.

The Associated Press Contributed to this report.