This postseason, B/R college football writers are teaming up to preview every bowl game, and we're opening the series with a look at the BCS conference championship games. Click here for our ACC and SEC championship guides.

 

No. 20 Missouri vs. No. 2 Oklahoma

December 6, 2008

8:00 pm EST

Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO

Spread: OU -17

 

How they got here...

Missouri clinched the Big 12 North with a win over Iowa State two weeks ago before dropping the regular season finale against Kansas.

Oklahoma won a three-way tie in the Big 12 South by virtue of having a higher BCS ranking than Texas and Texas Tech.

 

Statistically speaking...

Since taking over as Missouri's starter, Chase Daniel has only failed to throw a touchdown pass three times in three seasons. One of those games was in last year's Big 12 Championship, a 38-17 Sooners win in San Antonio. The Tigers have only beaten OU once in their last 19 meetings.

 

Missouri wins if...

The Tigers get to Sam Bradford. Bradford's left hand will require surgery after this game, and if the Tigers can send him to the showers early, they'll be at a huge advantage. Backup Joey Halzle has decent career experience, but he's no Bradford. Another point of interest will be how Bradford handles snaps in the cold Kansas City weather with that beaten up hand. The Tigers MUST get turnovers to win this ball game.  -Peter T Fleischer, Mizzou CL

 

Oklahoma wins if...

Junior linebacker Mike Balogun can fill in adequately in the center of the Oklahoma defense. The Sooners lost starting middle linebacker Ryan Reynolds for the season against Texas. Then his replacement, Austin Box left last week's Bedlam game and will not be available against Missouri.

 

B/R Expert Picks

Ben Weixlmann  Oklahoma

I think the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Bryan Burwell said it best, "there are three logical outcomes for this game: The Sooners gangster slap the Tigers, the Sooners prison slap the Tigers, or the Sooners gangster slap then prison slap the Tigers".

Lisa Horne  Missouri

Both teams have putrid pass defense and rush defense, so it all comes down to the offense. Bradford is a much better QB than Daniel, BUT, Stoops is due for a big-game letdown and not have his team prepared.

miamimitchdotcom  Oklahoma

This game is a mismatch.

David Wunderlich  Oklahoma

This could be closer than most think because OU is not as good away from home, but the Sooners' offensive and defensive lines make the difference.

GeorgiaDawg  Oklahoma

Bradford, Murray and Brown... need I say more?

Trey Bradley  Oklahoma

As long as Bradford is able to play the whole game despite the hand injury, OU plays for the national championship.

Brian Scott  Oklahoma

I still think Chase Daniel is the best quarterback in all of CFB, but he just doesn't have the supporting cast that Sam Bradford has - also Oklahoma is playing for it all while Mizzou is only playing for the Big 12, and revenge.