Bowl Games 2011: Keys for North Carolina vs. Missouri in Independence Bowl

With Missouri quarterback James Franklin being a heavy contributor to the team's running game, the Tigers have the 12th ranked rushing offense in the FBS, running for 235.7 yards per game.

Missouri was led by sophomore running back Henry Josey, who was propelled into a starting role after the Tigers were hit with a series of injuries. Now, with Josey's knee injury, the Tigers will have to depend on a running back by committee that features Kendial Lawrence and De'Vion Moore.

Missouri's prolific running attack will face North Carolina's 14th best rushing defense. The Tar Heels only allow 106.17 rushing yards per game.

This game could come down to whether the Missouri running attack can get going.

Everett Withers vs. Gary Pinkel

With a report by aol.sportingnews.com that Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn interviewed for the head coaching job at North Carolina, interim coach Everett Withers could very well be coaching his last game for the Tar Heels.

Withers will be up against longtime Missouri coach Gary Pinkel, who has been with the team since 2001. He was disciplined for a DWI arrest in November, but Pinkel is in no danger of losing his head coaching position.

If Withers wants a shot at staying with the Tar Heels for another season, he will have to put together an overwhelming victory.

North Carolina has averaged 28.3 points per game while allowing 23.5. Missouri has averaged 32.3 while allowing 23.5 per game.

Missouri Rushing Offense vs. North Carolina Rushing Defense

With Missouri quarterback James Franklin being a heavy contributor to the team's running game, the Tigers have the 12th ranked rushing offense in the FBS, running for 235.7 yards per game.

Missouri is led by sophomore running back Henry Josey, who was propelled into a starting role after the Tigers were hit with a series of injuries. Josey, while carrying the ball less than Franklin, has 1,168 yards and nine touchdowns on the year. Franklin has 839 rushing yards on the season.

Missouri's prolific running attack will face North Carolina's 14th best rushing defense. The Tar Heels only allow 106.17 rushing yards per game.

This game could come down to whether the Missouri running attack can get going.

James Franklin vs. Bryn Renner

The two players couldn't be more opposite.

James Franklin is in his first season as Missouri's starting quarterback, and he has evolved into a very solid football player. The sophomore has 2,740 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns and 10 interceptions, but Franklin does quite a bit of damage on the ground, too. 

He leads his team in carries with 199. Franklin had 839 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns on the year.

North Carolina quarterback Bryn Renner is also a sophomore in his first season as a starting quarterback (and the similarities end there.) Renner has 2,796 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and 12 interceptions through the air this season, and he has led his team to impressive victories over Wake Forest and the University of Virginia. Renner has similar passing numbers to Franklin, but he doesn't take any carries away from his running backs—not a single one.

The game sets Franklin's dual-threat capabilities against the more traditional attack of North Carolina and Renner.

Will the North Carolina defense be able to slow Franklin down? Can Renner take advantage of Missouri's poor passing defense?

North Carolina Pass Offense vs. Missouri Pass Defense

Bryn Renner and North Carolina's dynamic wide receiver, Dwight Jones, will be up against the 91st ranked Missouri pass defense.

Jones, who has 79 receptions for 1,119 yards and 11 touchdowns so far this year, could have one of his best games of the season against a defense that has given up 17 passing touchdowns and an average of 247.25 passing yards per game.

Renner will be looking for Erik Highsmith—his second favorite target—as well. Highsmith has 43 receptions for 649 yards and four touchdowns on the season.

Renner will also utilize Giovani Bernard in the passing game. Bernard, the team's featured running back, already has 39 receptions for 329 yards and a touchdown this season.

Missouri Pass Offense vs. North Carolina Pass Defense

James Franklin will have numerous chances to pick apart the North Carolina pass defense as well.

While the Tar Heels have a top ranked rushing defense, North Carolina ranks just one spot ahead of Missouri in passing defense at 90th.

The Tar Heels have given up 22 passing touchdowns on the season, and teams have averaged 246.75 yards per game against North Carolina.

Franklin, who has shown he isn't purely a running quarterback, has spread the ball around to a number of receivers this season. Five Missouri receivers have at least 300 yards and three touchdowns on the year.

T.J. Moe leads the team with 54 receptions for 649 yards and four touchdowns.