Valero Alamo Bowl Preview
29 Dec
By Ryan Liss “The Sportmeister”
www.sportmeisters.com
Northwestern, in a bowl game? Must be a sign the apocalypse is upon us. But wait, Missouri didn’t clinch the Big 12 that everyone predicted? There is the apocalypse again. Oh well, instead we get to be treated as the Alamo Bowl has the Big 12 and the Big 10 battle off for more conference supremacy.
Valero Alamo Bowl
#23 Northwestern vs. #21 Missouri
Dec. 29th, 8pm, San Antonio
About Northwestern: Northwestern is a slight stranger to the postseason, making only their fourth appearance this decade and 7th overall. However, they are looking for their first win in 60 years (1948 def. California 20-14). An amazing start to the season saw a five game win streak, but three losses in their next five games shot down any higher aspirations. However, a two game win streak at the end brought the chance for their second ever 10 win season within reach. The Wildcats will have the return of RB Tyrell Sutton to help, as he has rushed for 776 yards and six touchdowns on a 5.0 yard per carry average. QB C.J. Bacher has 2391 all purpose yards and 17 total touchdowns. WRs Eric Peterman and Ross Lane have combined for 1217 yards and seven touchdowns. 6-foot-7 defensive end Corey Wooten leads the team with nine sacks, and will need to get pressure quickly.
About Missouri: Missouri had high hopes after making it to the Big 12 Championship game last year, and five straight wins helped them look towards that goal again. However, losses to two ranked teams in then No. 17 Oklahoma State and then No. 1 Texas derailed their early national championship hopes, but they were able to win four of their last five to clinch a Big 12 championship berth again, but only to lose to Oklahoma and settle for an Alamo Bowl berth. This is Missouri’s fourth straight bowl game, and they are 11-14 overall. Heisman hopeful Chase Daniel leads one of the most potent spread offenses, with 4135 passing yards and 35 touchdowns this year. He also contributed 256 yards on the ground. Derrick Washington is on the cusp of a 1,000 yard season, with 992 yards and 17 touchdowns this year. WR Jeremy Maclin can do it all, and it shows in his numbers. He leads the nation with 2,646 all-purpose yards, 1221 coming from Daniel, including 12 touchdowns. TE Chase Coffman, the 2008 Mackey Award winner, contributed with 920 yards and 10 touchdowns.
About the Bowl: It’s going to be tough for Northwestern to contend with the offensive weapons that Missouri has, especially with the spread offense working so well for Daniel. They are sixth in the nation in total yards (497.5 per game), fourth in passing yards (347.2 per game), and sixth in points scored (43.2 per game). The key will be if Wooton and the rest of the defensive line can get pressure on Daniel, keep Washington at bay, and double coverage Maclin, while using MLB Nate Williams to cover Coffman. The Missouri O-line has only given up 15 sacks all year, so a variety of blitz packages will need to be used in order to be effective. On the other side, Missouri does have some weapons, and the return of Sutton will only be as effective as they can run the ball. DT Ziggy Hood and NT Jaron Baston can hold the line, freeing up the linebacking corps. However, Missouri has one of the worst passing defenses, and Peterman and Lane should get downfield and be open most of the game.
The Pick: Missouri 63-10. Missouri has too many options on the offense, and I just can’t see Northwestern holding their own against them, and this is a quick blowout.
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