2011 Independence Bowl Spread
The Big 12 and the ACC clash on the day after Christmas when Shreveport, Louisiana, serves as the home of the AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl, which features Missouri and North Carolina.
This will be the third all-time meeting between the schools. Missouri won the first two; posting a 27-14 road win in 1973 and a 24-3 verdict at home in 1976.
According to the latest college football odds, Missouri is favored by 5 points, while the total is set for 52.5 points.
Missouri
The Tigers won their last three regular-season games to finish fifth in the Big 12 (5-4). Most recently, Missouri posted a 24-10 win over Kansas. The Tigers were 2-4 away from home in 2011, with three of those losses by seven points or fewer against bowl teams (Arizona State, Baylor, Kansas State).
Missouri ranks 33rd in the nation in points scored (32 points per game) while compiling 472 yards per game (236 passing, 236 rushing). James Franklin completes 63 percent of his passes for 2,733 yards and 20 touchdowns with 10 interceptions, and lists second on the team in rushing with 839 yards and 13 TDs on 4.2 yards per carry.
When Franklin hands off, the top ball carrier was Henry Josey (1,168 yards and nine TDs on 8.1 ypc in 10 games), who was injured at the end of the regular season and makes Franklin the top healthy runner. When Franklin throws, his top targets are T.J. Moe with 54 catches for 649 yards and four TDs and Michael Egnew with 47 grabs for 484 yards and three TDs.
The Missouri defense ranks 44th nationally in points allowed (23 ppg), surrendering 382 yards per game (247 passing, 135 rushing) while recording 26 sacks and forcing 20 turnovers.
Andrew Wilson leads the defensive unit with 89 tackles, while Jacquies Smith has a team-best five sacks and four forced fumbles with 34 tackles. Kenji Jackson has three interceptions, 71 tackles and one sack, with Like Lambert adding three fumble recoveries, 74 tackles and an interception.
E.J. Gaines has a punt return for a TD, and Trey Barrow averages 45 yards per punt.
North Carolina
North Carolina is another team (Arizona State, Southern Miss) that will be coached by someone who will not return next year, as Southern Miss’ Larry Fedora will take over the Tar Heels after this game. UNC finished fourth in the ACC’s Coastal Division (3-5) and enters this game 2-4 in its last six games after getting off to a 5-1 start. The Tar Heels are 1-4 away from home, with the lone win over East Carolina. However, three of its losses overall have come by seven points or fewer.
The Tar Heels rank 44th nationally in points allowed (23 points per game), surrendering 353 yards per game (237 passing, 106 rushing) while compiling 25 sacks and forcing 23 turnovers.
Zach Brown leads this unit with 91 tackles (24 more than anyone else) and three forced fumbles, adding 5.5 sacks, two interceptions and a fumble recovery, while Quinton Coples has 7.5 sacks, 51 tackles, three forced fumbles a fumble recovery. Tre Boston leads the team with three picks and two fumble recoveries, adding 64 tackles and a forced fumble.
On offense, UNC ranks 57th nationally in points scored (28 ppg) while recording 396 yards per game (249 passing, 147 rushing). Bryn Renner completes 69 percent of his passes for 2,769 yards and 27 TDs with 12 interceptions. The offensive line has allowed 26 sacks.
Dwight Jones is the top receiver with 79 receptions (36 more than anyone else) with 1,119 yards and 11 TDs, while Giovani Bernard anchors the running game with 1,222 yards and 13 TDs on 5.4 yards per carry.
