2011 Independence Bowl Overview

The Big 12 Conference and the ACC clash on Dec. 26 when Shreveport, Louisiana, serves as the location of the AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl, which features Missouri and North Carolina.

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

According to the current Independence Bowl line, Missouri is favored by 5 points, while the over/under is listed at 52.5 points.

Missouri

Missouri won their final three regular-season games to end up fifth in the conference (5-4). Recently, the Tigers racked up a 24-10 victory versus Kansas. The Tigers were 2-4 on the road this year, with three of those defeats by seven points or fewer against quality squads (Arizona State, Baylor, Kansas State).

The Tigers ranked 33rd nationally in points scored (32 points per game) while racking up 472 yards per game (236 through the air, 236 on the ground). James Franklin connects on 63 % 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 touchdowns on 4.2 yards per carry.

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

The Missouri defense rates 44th nationally in points given up (23 ppg), surrendering 382 yards per game (247 via the pass, 135 via the run) while notching 26 sacks and enticing 20 turnovers.

Andrew Wilson leads the defensive unit with 89 tackles, while Jacquies Smith has a school high five sacks and four forced fumbles with 34 tackles. Kenji Jackson has three interceptions, 71 stops 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 school (Arizona State, Southern Miss) that will be coached by someone who will not return next season, as Southern Miss’ Larry Fedora will take over for North Carolina after this game. Carolina finished fourth in the ACC’s Coastal Division (3-5) and comes into this contest 2-4 in its past six contests after getting off to a 5-1 start. The Tar Heels are 1-4as a visitor, with the lone win over East Carolina. However, three of its losses this season have come by a touchdown or less.

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

Zach Brown leads the defense with 91 tackles (24 more than any other player) and three forced fumbles, chipping in 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 paces the team with three picks and two fumble recoveries, adding 64 tackles and a forced fumble.

Offensively, UNC ranks 57th in the nation in offense (28 ppg) while compiling 396 yards per contest (249 through the air, 147 rushing). Bryn Renner completes 69 % of his throws for 2,769 yards and 27 scores with 12 interceptions. The offensive line has given up 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 leads the rushing attack with 1,222 yards and 13 touchdowns on 5.4 yards per tote.