2011 AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl Overview

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 live Independence Bowl spread, 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 contests to end up fifth in the conference (5-4). Recently, the Tigers racked up a 24-10 victory versus the Kansas Jayhawks. Missouri was 2-4 on the road this year, with three of those defeats by less than a touchdown versus quality squads (Arizona State, Baylor, Kansas State).

The Tigers ranked 33rd nationally in offense (32 points per contest) while totaling 472 yards per contest (236 via the pass, 236 via the run). James Franklin hits on 63 % of his throws for 2,733 yards and 20 scores with 10 picks, and is second on the squad in the running game with 839 yards and 13 scores on 4.2 yards per tote.

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 grabs for 649 yards and four TDs and Michael Egnew with 47 grabs for 484 yards and three TDs.

The Tiger defense rates 44th in the country in points given up (23 ppg), giving up 382 yards per contest (247 via the pass, 135 via the run) while compiling 26 sacks and enticing 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.

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.

Offensively, North Carolina ranks 57th in the country in offense (28 ppg) while compiling 396 yards per contest (249 via the pass, 147 on the ground). Bryn Renner hits on 69 % of his throws for 2,769 yards and 27 scores with 12 picks. The offensive line has given up 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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