Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl: Texas Longhorns at Missouri Tigers
Missouri Offense Goes Up Against Texas Defense
The last bowl game for Wednesday, Dec 27 features the Texas Longhorns (6-6) at the Missouri Tigers (7-5). The teams will play in the Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl. The Longhorns come to this game after going 3-2 in their final five games and after finishing fourth in the Big 12 with a 5-4 record. The Tigers were 4-4 in their conference, finishing third in the SEC East. They come to this game riding a six-game winning streak. Our Texas plays Missouri 2017 Texas Bowl pick has the Tigers favored by three points and the over/under ranging from 60.5 to 61.5 points.
Texas Overview
The Longhorns are scoring 29.2 PPG, while churning out 267 yards in the air and another 149 on the ground. The quarterback battle between Shane Buechele and Sam Ehlinger for the starting spot in the game seems to have been won by Buechele. Buechele (65.8 COMP%, 6 TDs, 4 INTs) is completing about 10-percent more of his passes than Ehlinger. Texas will be without its second leading receiver, Lil’Jordan Humphrey; he and three other players have been suspended for breaking undisclosed team rules. WR Collin Johnson leads the team with 51 catches and 725 yards. RB Chris Warren III is tops for Texas in rushing TDs with six. He’s got 71 carries for a total of 314 yards and a 4.4 average.
Texas is holding opponents to 21.7 PPG. Their rush defense is tough, as it’s limiting teams to 105 YPG, but the Longhorns have problems in defending the pass. They are allowing opponents on average 258 yards through the air. DB DeShone Elliot leads the team with six picks and three FF. The Longhorns have 15 INTs total and 47 PD. LB Malike Jefferson has made 110 tackles, and has recorded four sacks and 10 TFL. The team, has 27 sacks and over 70 TFL.
Longhorns Summary
- Offense is shaky at times
- Defense tough versus the run
- Pass D not very sound
Missouri Overview
The Tigers can certainly score, as they are averaging 39.3 PPG. They are putting up 312 YPG in the air and another 200 on the ground. QB Drew Lock (58.2 COMP%, 43 TDs, 12 INTs) is an exceptionally dangerous passer. He has four receivers who each have 25 or more pass catches and together they’ve made 34 TD catches. WR J’Mon Moore leads the team with 60 catches and 1,017 YDs. He has 11 TD grabs. TE Albert Okwuegbunam has just 25 catches but 11 have gone for touchdowns. Missouri has three quality running backs with senior Ish Witter leading the way with 171 carries and 992 yards. He’s scored five times and is averaging 5.8 YPA.
The Missouri defense gives up a lot of yards and points. They are allowing opponents 164 yards of offense rushing and a total of 262 when passing. Expect Texas to score some points against them as teams are averaging more than 30 PPG against them. They have more than 80 TFL and have accumulated 31 sacks. They have a dozen picks and 35 PD. Defensive linemen Marcell Frazier (36 TCKLs, 7.0 SCKs, 13.5 TFL) and Terry Beckner Jr. (35 TCKLs, 7.0 SCKs, 10.5 TFL) are both premium stoppers.
Tigers Summary
- Fine offense on ground and in air
- QB Drew Lock is highly accomplished
- Defense has containment problems
Three Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl Takeaways
In our Texas plays Missouri 2017 Texas Bowl pick we offer these three important takeaways for your consideration-
- QB edge to Missouri
- Defensive edge to Texas
- Offensive weapons edge to Tigers
Our 2017 Texas Bowl Pick
We really believe that the Missouri offense will blow Texas out of the water. However, Texas will put some points up. Our Texas plays Missouri 2017 Texas Bowl pick is the Tigers at -3.0. We like the over a lot at 60.5.
Summary Texas Plays Missouri Picks- Tigers at -3.0 and over 60.5
