In the eyes of a football program embarking on its third trip to the Independence Bowl in a record eight consecutive bowl appearances, the quaint confines of Shreveport, La., will more closely resemble a winter vacation house Dec. 26 than any sort of unique bowl experience.
But original spice is precisely what the Independence Bowl has offered to Missouri (7-5, 5-4 Big 12 Conference) in each of the school’s previous visits. The 2003 and 2005 visits provided coach Gary Pinkel his first bowl trips with the Tigers. Pinkel and the rest of the Missouri brass can never forget the 2005 trip, in which a program-record 21-point comeback sealed a 38-31 victory over South Carolina and Pinkel’s first Missouri bowl win.
And so, Missouri’s Dec. 26 date with the Independence Bowl represents a unique ending to the program’s trek through the Big 12.
Not even on the list of Big 12 bowl tie-ins, the Independence Bowl has become Missouri’s home away from home in a conference consistently lacking market appeal. The site was where Pinkel’s rebuilding project first gained traction, and now will serve as his program’s final break on the path to SEC membership.
Not to be lost in the Missouri headlines is the role of North Carolina (7-5, 3-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) in the 2011 Independence Bowl.
Despite actually holding a conference tie-in to the game, the 2011 trip will be the Tar Heels’ first to the venue. It’s a welcome opportunity for a program recently scarred by NCAA penalties. Player-agent infractions vacated all of the program’s wins from the last two seasons and forced interim coach Everett Withers into Butch Davis’s head role at the start of the 2011 season.
The game will mark Withers’ final as a coach of North Carolina, as the defensive coordinator accepted the same position at Ohio State. Immediately after the game, he will turn over the keys to Southern Miss coach Larry Fedora.
For two diverse stories strung on two distinct paths, Shreveport will serve as the meeting place.
**Missouri offense vs. North Carolina defense**
It may be a down year amid a change in philosophy, but the productivity of the Missouri offense hasn’t gone anywhere. Under the new quarterback leadership of sophomore dual-threat James Franklin (15th nationally in total offense with 298 yards per game), the Tigers finished the regular season ranked 11th nationally in rushing offense and 12th in total offense.
The run-first mentality came as a result of Franklin’s mobility (839 yards and 13 touchdowns) blending well with sophomore running back Henry Josey’s production. Josey led the Big 12 this season with 1,168 yards on the ground, but an injury against Texas a month ago ended his season.
Despite the blow, the Tigers have remained a run-oriented team in Josey’s absence, differing to Kendial Lawrence and former starter De’Vion Moore. Both have also missed games this season due to injury.
Succeeding on the ground against North Carolina will most certainly be a challenge. The Tar Heels’ greatest strength is their ability to defend the run, as they allowed the 14th fewest rushing yards in college football in the regular season at 106 yards a game.
The Tar Heels have shown vulnerability defending some of the stronger rushing attacks. Despite the absence of ACC leading rusher David Wilson, Virginia Tech. amassed 191 yards on the ground in a 24-21 victory over North Carolina. The Tar Heels also surrendered 312 yards and three scores on the ground to Georgia Tech. in a 35-28 defeat.
If the Missouri offense is to take real advantage, it will likely have to come through the air. North Carolina has shown falter defending aerial attacks, ranking 90th in pass defense and 61st in pass efficiency defense.
North Carolina has yet to defend a spread attack with as many targets as Missouri. If the Tigers can contain the pass rush of All-ACC defensive end Quinton Coples, Franklin (21 touchdowns, 11 interceptions) should have plenty of opportunities to find threats such as sophomore slot man T.J. Moe and senior tight end Michael Egnew.
**North Carolina offense vs. Missouri defense**
North Carolina’s offense isn’t as flashy as some (51st and 57th, respectively, in total offense and scoring offense), but it has been efficient. Sophomore quarterback Bryn Renner ranks ninth nationally in pass efficiency with 23 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. His favorite target has been wide receiver Dwight Jones, who ranks in the top 25 in the country in with 79 catches for 1,119 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The Tigers have given up their fare share of passing yards in the aerial Big 12, but will combat Jones’ skills with the presence of All-Big 12 cornerback E.J. Gaines.
Renner will be handing off to freshman running back Giovani Bernard, whose 1,548 total yards and 14 total touchdowns were good enough for First Team All-ACC honors.
Missouri will need better outside containment to limit Bernard’s productivity. Led by All-Big 12 defensive tackle Dom Hamilton, the Tigers (43rd in rushing defense at 135 yards a game) have had more success plugging inside runs, which is largely Bernard’s style.
**Two paths unwinding**
The game will serve as a finale for both teams. As Missouri waves good-bye to the Big 12, North Carolina will bid its farewell to Withers. Both will look to end such tenures with an eighth victory of the season.
The paths to new beginnings will unfold Dec. 26 in Shreveport.