A Bowler's Guide to Bowl Games (Dec. 29-Jan. 1)

Whoops, I missed a game.  Consider this an article in progress, as I’ll upload the rest as soon as I finish.  Here’s the Missouri-Northwestern game.

Valero Alamo Bowl – No. 21 Missouri vs. No. 23 Northwestern

Dec. 29, 8 p.m. on ESPN

Preview

With a loss against Kansas, Missouri stumbled into the Big 12 championship game.  The Tigers then flat-out embarrassed themselves, the Big 12 North and the entire divisional process that determines which teams play for a championship in a 62-21 blowout loss against Oklahoma.  Good thing Northwestern is no Oklahoma.

Reasons to Watch

Chase Daniel and the Missouri passing attack

Daniel’s senior season has been a disappointment.  Fortunately for him, the kind of disappointment we’re talking about is the 4,000 yards and 37 TDs disappointment.  This team can still score a lot.

The race to 30

Missouri is 9-2 this season when scoring 30 or more points.  The Wildcats' average offense won’t be able to keep up if Missouri blows this one open, no matter how bad Missouri’s defense is.

Reasons to Skip

Missouri’s defense

The Tigers gave up 358 points this season good for 74th place in scoring defense.  Their total defensive ranking (passing and rushing yards) is 99th, giving up 414 yards per game.  High octane offenses have torched them badly; can Northwestern’s offense do the same despite running on regular unleaded?

Northwestern’s offense

Exploit Missouri’s weak defense!  Wait, you’re offense is only ranked 75th in scoring? Then its an evenly mediocre match up!

Bowler’s take: Split