Citrus Bowl 2015: Missouri vs. Minnesota TV Info, Spread, Time and Injury News

The 2015 Citrus Bowl features two teams with rather conflicting offensive styles. Missouri runs a well-balanced offense that relies on a committee approach out of its backfield to alleviate pressure and help open up passing lanes for a young quarterback. Minnesota, on the other hand, prefers to wear down opposing defenses with a punishing and relentless ground game.

While there's plenty of contrast between these two competitors, they've both found plenty of success this season. The Tigers enter the Citrus Bowl on the heels of a tough loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game, but they were riding a six-game winning streak prior to that contest. The Golden Gophers fell to Wisconsin in their season finale, but they previously defeated Nebraska and gave Ohio State a run for its money.

This highly anticipated contest should mark another in a long line of compelling games played between the SEC and Big Ten. Before these squads return to action and we find out which conference will emerge victorious this time around, here's one final look at the game's viewing information, updated odds, injury news and prediction.

Citrus Bowl Information

When: Thursday, January 1, 2015

Where: Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida

Time: 1 p.m. ET

Channel: ABC

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Betting Info (via Odds Shark):

• Over/Under: 47.5
• Spread: Missouri -4.5

Team Injury Reports

Player	Pos.	Date	Status
Duke Anyanwu	TE	08/22/2014	Out
Brian Bobek	C	12/26/2014	Questionable
Isaiah Gentry	WR	09/16/2014	Out
Antonio Johnson	S	12/26/2014	Questionable
Donovahn Jones	WR	12/28/2014	Out
Brandon Lingen	TE	12/26/2014	Questionable
Alex Mayes	T	09/18/2014	Out
Daletavious McGhee	S	12/26/2014	Questionable
Cody Poock	LB	09/10/2014	Out
Nick Rallis	LB	09/10/2014	Out
Jared Weyler	OL	08/22/2014	Out
Drew Wolitarsky	WR	12/26/2014	Questionable

Player	Pos.	Date	Status
Kendall Blanton	TE	12/26/2014	Questionable
Cortland Browning	S	12/26/2014	Out
Levi Copelin	WR	09/16/2014	Out
Matt Hoch	DT	12/26/2014	Questionable
Jimmie Hunt	WR	12/26/2014	Questionable
Lawrence Lee	WR	11/26/2014	Out
Brad McNulty	G	12/26/2014	Questionable
Morgan Steward	RB	08/28/2014	Out
Ish Witter	RB	12/26/2014	Questionable

Injury reports courtesy of The Sports Network, via USA Today.

Preview and Prediction

Butch Dill/Associated Press

Missouri quarterback Maty Mauk will need to be on point to circumvent a dangerous Minnesota secondary. While Mauk has played well at times this season, he's been prone to unforced errors and lacks in the accuracy department. He's thrown for 2,551 yards and 23 touchdowns, but that's accompanied by a 52.9 completion percentage, 11 interceptions and an average of just 6.5 yards per attempt.

Those aren't comforting numbers considering he's about to face a Minnesota pass defense that ranks 30th in the nation, allowing an average of 201.5 yards per game, and has accumulated 13 interceptions in 12 games this year.

The Tigers need to establish a run-first game plan entering the Citrus Bowl. The combination of Russell Hansbrough and Marcus Murphy out of the backfield has allowed this offense to establish balance and move the chains in the process.

Both backs will need to be heavily involved against a Minnesota run defense that has been susceptible this season, ranking 60th in the nation and allowing 161.2 yards per game and 4.49 yards per carry. However, these ball-carriers moved laterally too often against Alabama and need to get back to north-south running once again.

Getting the ground game going will be especially important in this contest due to wide receiver Jimmie Hunt officially out, according to Tod Palmer of The Kansas City Star:

The Tigers do have leading receiver Bud Sasser, who accumulated 70 receptions for 935 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, but options are limited behind him.

As for the Minnesota offense, it will all be on the legs of running back David Cobb. The senior ball-carrier has been the team's best source of offense this season, as he's accumulated 1,545 yards and 13 touchdowns on 293 carries, averaging 5.3 yards per rush.

He's led the Golden Gophers to rank 27th in the nation, averaging 224.6 yards per game on the ground. However, he'll have his hands full with a stout Missouri run defense in the Citrus Bowl, as the Tigers rank 31st in the nation against the run, allowing 135.8 yards per game and just 3.55 yards per carry. Those are pretty good numbers when playing in the talented SEC.

If Cobb can't get it going, it will be difficult for Minnesota to accumulate points. Mitch Leidner has been more effective as a runner than a passer at the quarterback position this season. He's completed 49.0 percent of his passes for 1,540 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions, but he has carried 117 times for 462 yards and 10 scores.

Don't expect Leidner to find much time in the pocket, either, as defensive end Shane Ray resides on a Missouri defense that accumulated an impressive 42 sacks in 2014. Defensive coordinator Dave Steckel is already planning to unleash Ray in the Citrus Bowl, according to Palmer:

Coming into this bowl game with a one-dimensional offense could be Minnesota's undoing against a Missouri defense that has been very solid this season. The Tigers won't allow much of anything through the air, and if the Golden Gophers can't find room to maneuver on the ground, there won't be much hope in earning a victory.

This should prove to be mostly a defensive battle, but Missouri's offense has the better chance of putting up enough points to win.

Prediction: Missouri 27, Minnesota 20

All team statistics and rankings courtesy of NCAA.com and current as of December 31.