Does Mizzou Believe in Miracles? It'll Have to If It Wants to Beat Oklahoma

The Missouri Tigers were one of last year's great Cinderella stories. The Tigers came out of nowhere to finish the season 12-2 last year. They had a chance to play for the national championship, but they were defeated by the ninth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners in the Big 12 Championship game. Mizzou went on to trounce Arkansas, 38-7, in the Cotton Bowl.

So the question on the minds of many fans and every Texas Longhorn fan in the country is "Can Mizzou avenge last years loss?"

Tonight's Big 12 championship game is like deja vu for Oklahoma and Missouri fans. Except this time the tables have turned. The No. 2 Sooners (11-1, 7-1) are in control of their own destiny and need only to beat No. 20 Missouri (9-3, 5-3) to assure themselves a chance to play in the BCS Championship game.

So let’s break it down and see if Mizzou can beat Oklahoma tonight.

Passing Offense

Both these offenses sport a highly touted passing game. Mizzou ranks fourth in the country and the Sooners are third. They are led by two great quarterbacks, Heisman trophy contender Sam Bradford (OU), and Chase Daniel (Mizzou). Both teams also have great downfield threats; Jeremy Maclin of Mizzou has 88 catches for 1175 yards and 11 touchdowns. That averages out to 13.4 yards per catch.

For the Sooners, Bradford will no doubt be looking to find either Juaquin Iglesias or Jermaine Gresham who have accounted for a combined 1773 yards and 20 touchdowns.  

Edge: Even

Rushing Offense

Oklahoma has two great backs in Demarco Murray and Chris Brown. The Sooners rank 21st in the nation in rushing, while Mizzou ranks just 46th. The Tigers don't have a running back over 1000 yards. Meanwhile Murray has run for 1002 yards and Brown has pitched in 988 yards. Oklahoma truly has the best running back tandem in all of college football.

Edge: Oklahoma

Pass Defense

Both these teams have miserable passing defenses. Oklahoma ranks 98th in the nation, but the Tigers sit near dead last at 116th in the nation. This will make the game interesting because both teams can do major damage through the air.

However, the Sooners shut down the passing attack of Graham Harrell and the Texas Tech Red Raiders this season. Mizzou has not kept anyone from catching the ball this year.

Edge: Oklahoma

Rushing Defense

While both these teams get absolutely shredded through the air they manage to stop the run. Both rank in the top 25 in rushing defense. However Mizzou's defense hasn't had to face a running back tandem like Murray and Brown this season.

Edge: Oklahoma

Turnovers

Oklahoma has a ridiculous turnover margin of +20. They force turnovers at will and Mizzou has been prone to turning the ball over. The Tigers only boast a margin of +1.

Edge: Oklahoma

Special Teams

The punters probably won't get much of a workout in this game at all which will neutralize the return game. Oklahoma's field goal unit is only six for ten this season on field goal attempts. Meanwhile, Jeff Wolfert from Mizzou has made 17 of 22 and four of his five misses are from 50-plus yards. He has yet to miss an extra point this season.

Edge: Mizzou

Coaching

Ok this one is tough to call. If you go by discipline then its Gary Pinkel. The Tigers are tied for fifth in the country in penalties per game while Oklahoma is a lousy 109th. But if you are going to go by resumes and overall records then its Bob Stoops.

I think we'll overlook the penalty factor seeing how the Sooners have overcome it and won 11 times this season. The Sooners are also 6-0 against Missouri under Stoops.

Edge: Oklahoma

Prediction

Mizzou will need nothing short of a miracle to beat these Oklahoma Sooners. The Sooners are on fire and have scored 60-plus points in their last four games.

The only way Missouri can possibly win this game is if Chase Daniel and Mizzou can continue to score with the Sooners. However, I don’t think Daniel and the Tigers will be able to do this. Sorry, Longhorn fans, there will be no upset on this night. Mizzou's passing defense and turnovers will be their undoing in this game.

Oklahoma 56, Mizzou 31