Former Big 12 foes will now meet in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl with one of the teams now in the SEC. Missouri and Oklahoma State will play on Dec. 31 in Memphis, Tennessee. Here is the 2018 AutoZone Liberty Bowl preview.
Missouri Tigers (8-4)
Things looked bleak for the Tigers after they lost their first four SEC games, but they won their next four to help them qualify for a bowl. They were able to beat four bowl-eligible teams, most notably Florida. The Tigers lost to only teams that had an above .500 record, with two of those coming to Alabama and Georgia.
Missouri scores 36.9 points per game, which ranks them 19th in the country. They rush for 197.3 yards (ranked 44th) and pass for 271.6 yards (ranked 26th) per game.
The Tigers have one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Drew Lock. Lock has thrown for 3,125 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions on 63.2% completion. Four of his receivers have over 400 receiving yards this season. Emanuel Hall is a big-play threat with 756 receiving yards on 21.6 yards per reception. Johnathon Johnson is a good possession receiver with 50 receptions, while tight end Albert Okwuegbunam is a good red zone threat with six touchdowns catches.
Larry Rountree has rushed for 1,012 yards and 12 touchdowns to lead Missouri this season. Damarea Crockett chipped in with 749 rushing yards and Tyler Badie helped with 407.
The defense ranks 44th in scoring at 24.4 points allowed per game. They allow 122.9 rushing yards (ranked 22nd) and 256.1 passing yards (ranked 105th) per game. Defensive back DeMarkus Acy has made an impact with three interceptions and 10 passes defended.
Oklahoma State Cowboys (6-6)
Getting over the loss of Mason Rudolph and James Washington wasn’t easy, but the Cowboys got to six wins. They were able to beat three bowl-eligible teams and three good ones in Boise State, Texas and West Virginia. The Cowboys lost to two teams that didn’t qualify for a bowl game in Texas Tech and Kansas State.
Oklahoma State has the 14th best scoring offense in the country at 38.4 points per game. They rush for 192.1 yards (ranked 47th) and pass for 307.9 yards (ranked 11th) per game.
Quarterback Taylor Cornelius has replaced Rudolph decently this season. Cornelius has thrown for 3,642 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on 59.4% completion. He has three receivers that have over 500 receiving yards this season. Tylan Wallace has been one of the best in the country with 79 catches for 1,409 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Justice Hill has been the leading rusher on the team, but is skipping the bowl game to focus on the NFL Draft. The Cowboys do have depth at the running back position though, with Chuba Hubbard and L.D. Brown. Hubbard has been the second-leading rusher with 595 yards and six touchdowns.
They allow 32.7 points per game, which ranks them tied for 97th in the country. The Cowboys give up 178.7 yards on the ground (ranked 81st) and 258.3 yards through the air (ranked 108th). Defensive lineman Jordan Brailford has been a star for the Cowboys with nine sacks.
Prediction
Drew Lock will get a chance to go out on top in this game, as Oklahoma State has a bad pass defense. Missouri is also on a roll with four straight wins and should be able to finish with another win in this game.
Missouri Tigers 47 Oklahoma State Cowboys 41
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