SEC Championship Game 2014: Bold Predictions for Alabama vs. Missouri
Missouri came from behind to knock off the dangerous Arkansas 21-14 Friday in the Battle Line Rivalry, but the Tigers didn't know who they'd be facing in the SEC championship game until just about 24 hours later.
When Ole Miss defeated Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl, Alabama earned a berth in the title game; however, that didn't stop the Crimson Tide from showing up in a big way Saturday evening. Auburn came to play in the Iron Bowl, but in the end, Alabama emerged victorious 55-44, remaining in the hunt for the inaugural College Football Playoff.
Both of these teams are riding high following some impressive performances during college football's rivalry week. We're in for an enticing showdown of SEC juggernauts, and before these teams take the gridiron once again, let's have a little fun with some bold predictions for the championship game.
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Bold Predictions: Alabama
Amari Cooper Tallies 250 Receiving Yards, Three Touchdowns
Cooper has been one of the nation's most prolific wide receivers this season, and he reaffirmed that fact Saturday in the Iron Bowl, tying his own school record of 224 yards receiving, adding three touchdowns for good measure. That marks the third time this season, he's eclipsed 200 yards, so why not go for 250?
It's clear Cooper is good enough to beat whatever coverage is being rolled in his direction. He caught a team-high 13 passes against Auburn. The next closest receiver to that number was DeAndrew White with three.
Grantland's Rembert Browne came away very impressed:
Let's take nothing away from Missouri. The Tigers have a very solid secondary. In fact, they allowed an average of just 204.1 passing yards per game this season. But, seriously, is there really anyone capable of stopping Cooper right now? Probably not.
Alabama Holds Missouri Under 100 Rushing Yards
Heading into the Iron Bowl, the Crimson Tide were allowing an average of just 2.76 yards per carry and only gave up two rushing touchdowns all season long. Then, Alabama met a dangerous Auburn attack, and while the Tigers racked up 174 rushing yards and a score, they averaged just 3.7 yards per carry.
Alabama is about to face yet another dangerous rushing offense. This time, it will be Missouri's attack led by running back Russell Hansbrough. Although, in typical Crimson Tide fashion, the defense will continue to penetrate and stifle Tigers ball-carriers.
On Friday, Arkansas held Missouri to 3.9 yards per carry, and while the Razorbacks have been playing well of late, they don't have as stifling a defense as Alabama. The status of Hansbrough is up in the air following a late ankle injury suffered against Arkansas, but according to Joe Walljasper of the Columbia Daily Tribune, indications are the ball-carrier is fine:
Regardless, having a lead running back who isn't 100 percent against Alabama isn't a good situation for Missouri. The team has a capable ball-carrier in Marcus Murphy, but the way things look heading into this contest, the Crimson Tide has the upper hand in this department.
Bold Predictions: Missouri
Maty Mauk Passes for 350 Yards, Three Touchdowns
Mauk began the 2014 season with a frenzy of touchdowns, throwing 12 in his first three games. However, he only passed for 10 more throughout the remainder of the regular season. Well, expect to see a bounce-back showing from the quarterback against one of the nation's stingiest defenses.
Alabama ranked 26th in the nation against the pass entering Saturday, allowing just 198.2 passing yards per game. Then, Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall lit up the Crimson Tide like a Christmas tree, accumulating 456 passing yards and three touchdowns. Mauk has the tools to nearly duplicate that feat.
Bud Sasser has been the team's most reliable wide receiver, and he came through against Arkansas, racking up nine receptions for 127 yards. Senior Jimmy Hunt has also come around lately, scoring in each of the team's last two contests and displaying his big-play ability.
Here's a look at Hunt's 73-yard grab from Friday's contest, via ESPN College Football:
If Hansbrough is hampered in any way, that will only increase Missouri's reliance on the pass. Having a pass-catching running back like Murphy on the field more often will only help Mauk's production. The sophomore quarterback may not have put up a 300-yard game since September, but that's about to change.
Missouri Scores Two Defensive Touchdowns
If defense wins championships, the Tigers have a fair shot at taking one from the Crimson Tide in the title game. Plenty of ball hawks reside on Missouri's defense, and they've accumulated a total of 22 takeaways in 12 games this season.
Alabama quarterback Blake Sims showed a great deal of efficiency throughout the season, but he suffered a major setback Saturday against Auburn, throwing three interceptions early in the game. That marked the first time this season Sims threw multiple picks.
Bleacher Report's Dan Hope tweeted his thoughts on the quarterback's struggles:
While Sims was able to right the ship later in the game, we can speculate his confidence will be a little shaken going forward. How do you rattle a shaken quarterback? With a good pass rush.
Missouri's pass rush has caused plenty of problems for opposing quarterbacks this season. According to CFBStats.com, the Tigers have accumulated 38 sacks through 12 games, tallying three or more in seven contests this year. Shane Ray has been a monster in this category, totaling 13.5 sacks in 2014, via ESPN.com. He's the kind of player who can be a difference-maker in this situation.
By pressuring Sims, Missouri has a good chance of creating some takeaways and use their speed to take a couple to the house.
All team statistics and rankings via NCAA.com unless otherwise noted and current as of November 30 at 1:30 a.m. ET.
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