Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl
Missouri (10-3) vs. Minnesota (8-4)
Orlando, Fla.
Jan. 1, 2015
While most will be focused on the College Football Playoff-affiliated bowls of New Year’s Day, sandwiched in between is a solid matchup between No. 16 and No. 25 Minnesota in the Citrus Bowl.
A six-game winning streak helped Missouri unexpectedly make its second consecutive trip to the SEC Championship Game. The Tigers were blown out by top-ranked Alabama, but Mizzou reaching the 10-win plateau again was good enough for the invite to Orlando. And if the Tigers can beat the Gophers, Missouri will reach at least 11 wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history.
Missouri’s offense, led by sophomore quarterback Maty Mauk, was one of the weaker units in the SEC. Mauk had an up-and-down season, completing just 52.9 percent of his passes, but after throwing nine interceptions in his first seven games he threw only two interceptions (along with nine touchdowns) in his final six games.
The Tigers feature a productive timeshare at running back between junior Russell Hansbrough (970 yards, 9 TDs) and senior Marcus Murphy (767 yards, 4 TDs) while 6-foot-2 senior Bud Sasser (70 catches, 935 yards, 10 TDs) leads a talented group of receivers.
Those backs face a tough task with Minnesota linebackers Damien Wilson (111 tackles, 10.5 TFL) and De’Vondre Campbell (71 tackles, 6.5 TFL) swarming to the ball.
On the other sideline, Minnesota can reach nine wins for the first time since 2003 and register its first bowl win since 2004 if it wins the Citrus Bowl – the program’s first New Year’s Day bowl since 1962. The 8-4 Gophers headed into the final week of the regular season with a shot to play in the Big Ten title game, but they fell 34-24 to Wisconsin on the road.
The Gophers rely heavily on their running attack, which is led by record-setting senior David Cobb and sophomore Mitch Leidner. Cobb set a single-season Minnesota record with 1,548 yards and also reached the end zone 13 times. The 6-foot-4, 237-pound Leidner also had a nose for the end zone – scoring 10 times to go with 462 yards.
The Gophers rarely look to pass and when they do, Leidner (1,540 yards, 10 TDs, 8 INTs) looks for All-Big Ten tight end Maxx Williams. Williams led the Gophers with 29 catches for 471 yards and seven touchdowns in his sophomore campaign.
The Gophers may look to Williams to combat a ferocious Missouri defense that will surely key in on Cobb. The Tigers ranked 31st nationally in rush defense, allowing 135.8 yards per game. Missouri also totaled 42 sacks on the season to lead the SEC. All-American defensive end Shane Ray led the way with 61 tackles, 21 tackles for loss and 14 sacks while Markus Golden added 68 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.
If Minnesota can’t run on the Tigers, it could be a tough afternoon for Jerry Kill’s team.
ODDS
Missouri (-4.5)
FUN FACT
If Minnesota wins, it will reach nine wins for the first time since 2003. Before the Gophers went 10-3 in 2003, the program hadn’t reached nine wins since 1905.
PREDICTIONS
Graham: Minnesota has had a great season, but it hasn't seen anything like Missouri's defensive front and Shane Ray should have a great game if he manages to not get tossed from it. Missouri 35, Minnesota 17.
Nick: Missouri has been gashed by teams with power running games this season in Georgia and Alabama. And while Minnesota's rushing attack is very good, it's not as good as either of the two SEC teams. The Tigers get win No. 11. Missouri 27, Minnesota 17.
Sam: Minnesota is tough on both sides of the ball, but if it can’t put together a somewhat competent passing game against Missouri, I don’t see any way in which the Gophers can pull out a win. Missouri 24, Minnesota 14.
For more Missouri news, visit PowerMizzou.com.
For more Minnesota news, GopherIllustrated.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
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