The Missouri Tigers have been tapped to play the Citrus Bowl, a quality New Years Day bowl game in which invites are given to two of the top tier teams in the Southeastern and Big Ten Conferences.
The 16th ranked Tigers will face No. 25 Minnesota on January 1 from the aptly named stadium, the Citrus Bowl in Orlando in a game that figures to be a closely matched contest.
Oct 18, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers running back David Cobb (27) rushes with the ball for a first down in the firs half against the Purdue Boilermakers at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Just as the rest of the SEC teams open the bowl games’ betting odds as the favorite, the Tigers are projected as 6-point favorites. That’s a good sign for Missouri. After all, No. 4 Ohio State beat the Gophers by 7 just a few weeks ago and they’re playing in the college football playoff.
Missouri looks to follow up its crushing blow to Alabama in the SEC Championship game, where the Tigers fought hard for three quarters before the Tide poured it on late to the tune of a 42-13 score.
But Mizzou Nation should be especially proud of a team that most odds makers had finishing fourth in the SEC East. Instead, it’s a second straight division title and a very nice New Years day bowl game.
Like Mizzou, the Golden Gophers have had a wildly successful 2014, leading their division for a majority of the season and exceeding expectations of just about everyone, even after finishing 2013 with a winning record.
They’re led by the ultra-talented running back David Cobb.
South Bound & Down
We’ve seen the Tigers struggle mightily this season against strong running teams and I’m sure Cobb is well aware of his fellow Big Ten running back Tevin Coleman of Indiana who went for over 200 yards against the Tigers earlier this year. Still, Mizzou has improved defensively and stalled the best rushing game in the SEC of Arkansas in the regular season finale.
Mizzou ranks 16 in both the CFP poll and AP poll, but got up to 14th in the latest coaches poll. Minnesota remains ranked after closing the season with a loss at Wisconsin– a game in which decided the Big Ten West’s representative in the conference championship.
The Citrus Bowl will kick off at noon central time on January 1.
The Citrus Bowl is one of the most respectable bowl games to be invited to. Expect a good Mizzou crowd on hand as the Tigers always travel well. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-USA TODAY Sports