Missouri vs. Minnesota: Citrus Bowl Preview With TV Schedule

Having lost an early-season game against bottom-dweller Indiana at home, the Big Ten has the upper hand against the Missouri Tigers already heading into this one. The Minnesota Golden Gophers will look to make it 2-0 against the SEC foe with a win in this one and finish with another nine-plus win season.

Putting together a second-straight solid season has looked easily for Jerry Kill and company. After a 6-1 start to the year, however, Minnesota went just 2-3 in its last five games. Quarterback Mitch Leidner could have used some help in the throwing game as he led the fourth-worst pass offense in the nation with just 1,540 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions with a 49 percent completion rate. Tight end Maxx Williams tried to assist the QB, but he could only do so much, leading the team with 29 catches for 471 yards and seven touchdowns. David Cobb led the run game with 1,548 yards and 13 touchdowns this year.

Missouri’s pass offense wasn’t great, either, despite having talented sophomore Maty Mauk under center. The second-year player passed for 2,551 yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions with just a 52 percent completion rate. Mauk had to look for new favorite targets with the departure of Dorial Green-Beckham and he found Bud Sasser. In fact, he found him 70 times for 935 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2014. Jimmie Hunt is another receiver to keep an eye on as he was second on the team with 40 receptions for 698 yards and seven scores. Russell Hansbrough led the run game with 970 yards and nine TDs as Marcus Murphy was right behind with 767 yards and four scores of his own.

Defensively, Minnesota has been one of the more solid teams in the nation, ranking 34th in points allowed and 38th in total yards allowed per game. Missouri has been a tad more impressive, owning the 26th-best scoring defense as well as the 23rd-best total defense.

When: 1 p.m. EST on Thursday, Jan. 1

Where: Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando, Fla.

TV: ABC

PREDICTION: Missouri 27, Minnesota 21

Want to see Missouri take on Minnesota in the Citrus Bowl? Check out ScoreBig for tickets.

Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at [email protected].