2011 Independence Bowl Overview

December 23, 2011

The Big 12 and the ACC battle on December 26th when Shreveport, Louisiana, serves as the home of the AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl, which showcases Missouri and North Carolina.

This will mark the third time these two schools have ever met. The Tigers won the first pair; posting a 27-14 road win in 1973 and a 24-3 final in Columbia during the 1976 season.

According to the current Independence Bowl odds, the Tigers are favored by 5 points, while the over/under is set for 52.5 points.

Missouri

Missouri won their last three regular-season matchups to end up fifth in the Big 12 (5-4). Recently, Missouri posted a 24-10 victory versus Kansas. Missouri was 2-4 away from home this season, with three of those losses by less than a touchdown versus bowl schools (Arizona State, Baylor, Kansas State).

Missouri ranks 33rd in the country in points scored (32 points per contest) while compiling 472 yards per contest (236 passing, 236 via the run). James Franklin hits on 63 percent of his throws for 2,733 yards and 20 touchdowns with 10 picks, and ranks second on the team in the running game with 839 yards and 13 TDs on 4.2 yards per tote.

When Franklin hands the ball off, the best runner was Henry Josey (1,168 yards and nine scores on 8.1 ypc in 10 matchups), who was hurt at the end of the regular season and leaves Franklin the top healthy runner. When Franklin passes, his top pass catchers are T.J. Moe with 54 receptions for 649 yards and four scores and Michael Egnew with 47 catches for 484 yards and three touchdowns.

The Tiger defense rates 44th nationally in points given up (23 ppg), allowing 382 yards per contest (247 via the pass, 135 on the ground) while recording 26 sacks and enticing 20 turnovers.

Andrew Wilson leads the defense with 89 tackles, while Jacquies Smith has a school high five sacks and four forced fumbles with 34 stops. Kenji Jackson has three interceptions, 71 tackles and one sack, with Like Lambert adding three fumble recoveries, 74 stops 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 contest. The Tar Heels finished fourth in the ACC’s Coastal Division (3-5) and comes into this game 2-4 in its last six matchups after getting off to a 5-1 start. North Carolina is 1-4 away from home, with the sole win over East Carolina. However, three of its defeats this year have come by seven points or fewer.

The Tar Heels rank 44th nationally in points given up (23 points per contest), giving up 353 yards per contest (237 via the pass, 106 running) while totaling 25 sacks and forcing 23 turnovers.

Zach Brown leads this unit with 91 tackles (24 more than anyone else) and three forced fumbles, chipping in 5.5 sacks, two interceptions and a fumble recovery, while Quinton Coples has 7.5 sacks, 51 stops, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Tre Boston leads the squad with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries, adding 64 stops and a forced fumble.

On offense, North Carolina ranks 57th in the nation in points scored (28 ppg) while totaling 396 yards per game (249 passing, 147 on the ground). Bryn Renner hits on 69 % of his throws for 2,769 yards and 27 TDs with 12 interceptions. The offensive line has given up 26 sacks.

Dwight Jones is the top receiver with 79 catches (36 more than any other player) with 1,119 yards and 11 TDs, while Giovani Bernard paces the rushing game with 1,222 yards and 13 touchdowns on 5.4 yards per tote.

Check out our college bowl predictions covering every single game and if you want to know who is favored to win we have the college bowl odds for every matchup at BetFirms.

Written by Jack Jones · Filed Under NCAA Football

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