2011 AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl Game Notes

The Big 12 Conference and the ACC meet up on December 26th when Shreveport, Louisiana, serves as the venue of the AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl, which showcases the Missouri Tigers and the North Carolina Tar Heels.

This will mark the 3rd time these two schools have ever met. The Tigers won the first pair; racking up a 27-14 road victory in 1973 and a 24-3 final 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

Missouri won their final three regular-season matchups to end up fifth in the conference (5-4). Recently, the Tigers racked up a 24-10 victory against the Kansas Jayhawks. Missouri was 2-4 on the road this season, with three of those defeats by less than a touchdown versus quality schools (Arizona State, Baylor, Kansas State).

The Tigers ranked 33rd in the country in offense (32 points per contest) while racking up 472 yards per contest (236 through the air, 236 on the ground). James Franklin connects on 63 % of his throws for 2,733 yards and 20 scores with 10 picks, and ranks second on the squad in the running game with 839 yards and 13 touchdowns on 4.2 yards per attempt.

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

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

The Tar Heels are another school (Arizona State, Southern Miss) that will be coached by someone who will not be back next season, as Southern Miss’ Larry Fedora will take over for North Carolina after this contest. Carolina ended up fourth in the ACC’s Coastal Division (3-5) and comes into this contest 2-4 in its past six contests after starting the year 5-1. UNC is 1-4as a visitor, with the sole win over East Carolina. However, three of its defeats this year have come by a touchdown or less.

UNC ranks 44th in the nation in points given up (23 points per contest), allowing 353 yards per contest (237 through the air, 106 running) while totaling 25 sacks and enticing 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 and 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.

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.