Missouri @ Oklahoma State preview
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jan 3, 2014 ) Oklahoma State 31, Missouri 41
AUTOZONE LIBERTY BOWL STORYLINES
1. A long-time conference rivalry will be renewed when Missouri faces Oklahoma State in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Dec. 31 in Memphis, Tenn. The teams were rivals in the Big Eight and Big 12 conferences before Missouri’s move to the SEC in 2012. The Tigers lead the all-time series 29-23 - including a 41-31 win in the Cotton Bowl following the 2013 season, which ended a string of three consecutive victories by Oklahoma State.
2. Missouri will try to pick up where it left off in the regular season after going 4-0 in November and winning five of its last six games. The Tigers’ lone loss during that stretch was a 15-14 setback against Kentucky on an untimed down following a questionable pass-interference call in the end zone. Missouri was unable to translate a perfect November into bowl success last season, losing 33-16 to Texas in the Texas Bowl.
3. Two of the nation’s top passing attacks go head-to-head in what figures to be a shootout. The Cowboys rank 12th in the nation with 306.7 passing yards per game, with former walk-on Taylor Cornelius putting up huge numbers. The Tigers also can sling it with NFL prospect Drew Lock, who ranks third in SEC history with 96 career touchdown passes and second in passing yards (11,820).
TV: 3:45 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Missouri -8
ABOUT MISSOURI (8-4): The Tigers’ offense is focused around Lock, but the ground game - led by Larry Rountree III (1,012 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns) - quietly has had a strong season. The offense could be without a few weapons, however, as running back Damarea Crockett (ankle), wide receiver Jalen Knox (concussion) and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (shoulder) all were banged up at the end of the regular season, so their status is up in the air for the bowl game. Missouri’s secondary was torched early in the season but rounded into form later, and the run defense was stout all year behind defensive tackle Terry Beckner Jr.
ABOUT OKLAHOMA STATE (6-6): The Cowboys have a pretty good idea what they will get from their offense, which ranks 10th nationally in total yards and 14th in scoring. Tylan Wallace (79 receptions, 1,408 yards, 11 TDs) is a lethal target for Cornelius (3,642 passing yards, 28 TDs, 11 interceptions), who also is a threat to run as he has recorded 10 rushing touchdowns, and Justice Hill (930 yards, nine TDs) leads a solid ground game. The questions for the Cowboys are on defense - they gave up over 300 passing yards five times and also allowed more than 200 rushing on five occasions - and special teams, which have been a focus of the extended practice time.
PREDICTION: Missouri 37, Oklahoma State 30