SEC Championship 2014: Alabama vs. Missouri Live Stream, TV Info and Projections
The SEC's quest to make a ninth straight national title game appearance depends on one game. No. 16 Missouri takes aim at top-ranked Alabama in the 2014 SEC Championship Game, looking to play the spoiler role.
Much more than that is on the line for Gary Pinkel's Tigers, however. In its second consecutive trip to Atlanta, Missouri has proved it belongs. But with a victory over mighty Alabama on the biggest stage, the Tigers would shockingly win their first SEC title in just their third year.
Alabama is also no stranger to this stage, making its fourth appearance in the conference title game in the last seven seasons. But despite the Tide going on a furious late-season surge to get back to No. 1, it would all come crashing down with a loss Saturday afternoon.
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The early December showdown in the Georgia Dome boasts massive implications each season, and 2014 is obviously no different.
When: Saturday, December 6
Where: Georgia Dome, Atlanta
Start Time (ET): 4 p.m.
TV: CBS
Live Stream: CBSSports.com (cable provider may be required)
SEC Championship Game Predictions
Tigers' Air Game Stays Hot vs. Suspect 'Bama Secondary
Missouri's biggest strengths in 2014 have been anything but the passing game, but quarterback Maty Mauk and his lengthy wideouts have come up big when it's mattered most.
That came in the Tigers' final three games, all must-wins to get to Atlanta. Mauk shook off a woeful start to the season by tossing it around for at least 230 passing yards in all three games, the last of which came against a formidable Arkansas defense.
Pinkel, like many others, has been impressed with Mauk's resurgence, per Sports Illustrated's Zac Ellis:
Mauk isn't the best of downfield passers, but receivers Bud Sasser (65 catches, 904 yards) and Jimmie Hunt have combined for 16 touchdowns on the year. We saw what Nick Marshall—an improving, but not elite, passer—was able to do against Alabama's secondary by throwing for a whopping 456 yards.
Will Mauk have that type of day statistically? Not nearly. But Missouri will make it a priority to test the Tide secondary early on, and it will keep the Tigers in the game early.
Tide Will Neutralize Missouri DEs By Pounding Rock
Alabama will go up against perhaps the best pass rush it has faced all season, as defensive ends and potential first-round draft picks Markus Golden and Shane Ray come off the edge for Missouri.
Nick Saban lauded the duo as Alabama prepared for the game, per Gabe DeArmond of Rivals.com:
Fortunately for the Tide, they have just the type of offense to neutralize even the most formidable of edge-rushers.
T.J. Yeldon has been a force in recent games, racking up more than 200 yards and three scores in his last two outings combined. While he can find the holes for big gains, Derrick Henry is a more-than-capable second option to pound it inside and wear down the Tigers defensive front.
A stout rushing attack alone won't be enough to completely neutralize Ray and Golden, but add Amari Cooper's short passing game dominance, and the Tide will be awfully tough to contain. Blake Sims will get the ball out of his hands early and use his legs to outrun the speedy rushers when needed.
Alabama Will Blow it Open Late
Even in the midst of his worst game in an Alabama uniform, Sims rose to the occasion when he was on the verge of being benched, leading the Tide to a dominant second half to outlast Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
That will give him and the Alabama offense just the confidence they need to execute the game plan to perfection as the game drags along.
Missouri's scary pass-rushers won't have the same impact in the final two quarters, as Alabama's downhill rushing attack and short passes will have them winded. Mauk will find some success early, but the Tide will draw up some extra pressure later in the contest to keep him on his heels.
It will result in a familiar sight—Saban and Co. hoisting the SEC championship trophy en route to a potential national title.
Prediction: Alabama 41, Missouri 24
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