2011 Independence Bowl Preview

The Big 12 Conference and the ACC battle on Dec. 26 when Shreveport, Louisiana, serves as the location of the AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl, which showcases the Missouri Tigers and the North Carolina Tar Heels.

This will mark the 3rd meeting between Missouri and UNC. The Tigers won the first couple of games; notching a 27-14 road victory in 1973 and a 24-3 score in Columbia during the 1976 season.

According to the current Independence Bowl line, the Tigers are favored by five points, while the over/under is listed at 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 the ball off, the best runner was Henry Josey (1,168 yards and nine touchdowns on 8.1 ypc in 10 contests), who was hurt at the end of the year and leaves Franklin the best healthy ball carrier. When Franklin passes, his top receivers are T.J. Moe with 54 receptions for 649 yards and four touchdowns and Michael Egnew with 47 receptions for 484 yards and three touchdowns.

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 paces the defense with 89 stops, while Jacquies Smith has a team-high five sacks and four forced fumbles with 34 stops. Kenji Jackson has three picks, 71 stops and one sack, with Like Lambert adding three fumble recoveries, 74 stops and a pick.

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.

North Carolina ranks 44th in the country in points given up (23 points per contest), giving up 353 yards per contest (237 via the pass, 106 on the ground) while totaling 25 sacks and enticing 23 turnovers.

Zach Brown paces the defense with 91 stops (24 more than any other player) and three forced fumbles, chipping in 5.5 sacks, two picks and a fumble recovery, while Quinton Coples has 7.5 sacks, 51 stops, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Tre Boston paces the squad with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries, chipping in 64 stops 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 best pass catcher with 79 catches (36 more than any other player) with 1,119 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Giovani Bernard paces the rushing attack with 1,222 yards and 13 scores on 5.4 yards per tote.

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