Citrus Bowl 2015: Full Schedule and Key Storylines for Missouri vs. Minnesota
Of the two New Year's Day bowl matchups with an SEC-Big Ten matchup, Missouri vs. Minnesota in the Citrus Bowl may not be as high on the radar, but it's a critical moment for both programs as they attempt to build for the future.
Missouri has exceeded all expectations in its three years as a member of the SEC. The Tigers have gone 22-5 since 2013, appearing in the SEC Championship Game each year, and they have a chance to finish in the Top 15 with a victory.
Minnesota is on a different path, though head coach Jerry Kill has done a tremendous job rebuilding this program. The Golden Gophers have won 16 games since 2013, their best two-year stretch since 2003-04. They finished the regular season ranked 25th in the College Football Playoff poll can end the year ranked for the first time since 2003.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Even though the similarities between the programs aren't vast, this is an intriguing matchup that could impact where each goes in 2015. Here are the storylines to keep a close eye on when the Citrus Bowl kicks off.
| Date | Matchup | Start Time | Network | Odds |
| Jan. 1, 2015 | Missouri (10-3, 7-1 SEC) vs. Minnesota (8-4, 5-3 Big Ten) | 1 p.m. ET | ABC | Missouri (-6.5) |
How Will Shane Ray Bounce Back?
Missouri star defensive end Shane Ray was supposed to have his moment in the spotlight against Alabama during the SEC Championship Game. After all, he had 61 total tackles and 13.5 sacks prior to that game.
Unfortunately, though completely warranted, Ray was ejected early in the second quarter following this hit on Alabama quarterback Blake Sims, via D.C. Reeves of The Tuscaloosa News:
While that play alone wasn't the only reason Missouri lost the game, it did leave a void that no one else on the Tigers defense can fill. The team was fortunate the ejection occurred in the first half, which meant he didn't have to sit out any part of the Citrus Bowl.
Andy Greder of The St. Paul Pioneer-Press noted that Missouri's defensive line compares favorably to another team that Minnesota has already faced this season:
"The Tigers' speedy defensive front has been compared to Texas Christian's, which helped wallop the Gophers 30-7 on Sept. 13. The Gophers gave up only two sacks in that loss but were 5 for 18 on third and fourth down conversions and committed five turnovers, the most giveaways in a game since the 1-11 season in 2007.
"
The entire front four is worthy of praise, but it's Ray that makes the engine go. He's not a dirty player, though the hit on Sims was a stupid play.
Even though there's not as much on the line in this game, Ray has a lot to gain because of his potential as a top-10 draft pick if he opts to declare for the NFL. One more masterful performance will only help his stock.
Which Quarterback Will Make A Play?
Missouri and Minnesota aren't that different when you really look at how they've succeeded in 2014. The Tigers use that defensive line to dominate opponents into submission, then get solid contributions from the offense that mostly come from the running game.
The Golden Gophers have a solid defensive presence this season and one of the nation's most versatile rushing attacks, led by the two-headed monster of David Cobb and quarterback Mitch Leidner.
Both defensive coordinators are smart enough to figure out that loading the box is going to be essential, forcing the other team to throw if they want to score.
Missouri's passing game was awful this season. Maty Mauk did have 23 touchdown passes but threw 11 interceptions, and the team averaged just 196.2 passing yards per game.
As ugly as the Tigers' numbers are, Minnesota's are significantly worse. Leidner completed 49 percent of his passes for 1,540 yards with 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The Golden Gophers offense resembles another Big Ten team in Wisconsin.
The Badgers are one-dimensional, though that dimension can be explosive because Melvin Gordon is so good against everyone not named Ohio State. The Buckeyes figured out how to stop Gordon, forcing Joel Stave to throw the ball. He couldn't do it, finishing the game with three interceptions and completing 17 of 43 attempts.
Mauk has been criticized throughout the season for some of his decisions, though wide receiver Bud Sasser didn't put all the blame on his quarterback when talking to Tod Palmer of The Kansas City Star in October:
"It’s everywhere. Receivers will have a drop when we finally can get the ball downfield or we’ve got a misread up front. Maty might be getting out of the pocket a little early. It’s everywhere. The thing is we’re trying to make sure we’re all on the same page and we’re all believing in each other and understanding that the guy next to you has his job down.
"
There's no doubt that Mauk is the quarterback most likely to make a big throw in this game if necessary. Leidner is a versatile quarterback who moves well out of the pocket, but his inability to make routine throws is going to be problematic against this defense.
The SEC-Big Ten Challenge
Since Ohio State got blown out by Florida in the 2007 BCS Championship Game, the Big Ten has endured its share of criticism. The Buckeyes have gained some clout in recent years thanks to the hiring of Urban Meyer, but the conference as a whole is still seen as an insignificant player in the grand scheme.
ESPN's David Pollack indirectly shined a light on the Big Ten's problems in January bowl games since 2007 when he was bragging about the SEC:
Given how inept the Big Ten has been in January bowl games over the last seven years, Minnesota has the first chance to prove that a turnaround is coming. The Golden Gophers haven't beaten a team currently ranked all year, though Nebraska was 23rd at the time.
Missouri may not be the preeminent program in the SEC, but it's turned into one of the most consistent in a short period of time. After a 5-7 record in their first year with the conference, the Tigers have improved exponentially in the last two years.
A loss in this spot would be devastating for Missouri, given where it wants to be and how low the Big Ten has been in these games for years. Minnesota can prove that the talent gap between the conferences is starting to shrink with a win on New Year's Day.
Stats via Sports-Reference.com.
If you want to talk sports, Follow @adamwells1985
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
