Phil Steele's Independence Bowl Forecast...North Carolina (7-5) vs Missouri (7-5)

These 2 have met twice before with MO taking both incl their last matchup 24-3 in ‘76. This is NC’s 4th str bowl (1-2) and 29th overall. LY NC defeated Tenn 30-27 after a controversial call in regulation cost the Vols the win (NC kicked the GW FG in the 2nd OT) in the Music City Bowl. This is Withers’ 1st bowl as a HC but he has been DC the L/3 bowls here under Davis. The Tigers head to their 8th bowl under Pinkel (3-4) and their 3rd Independence (1-1) with their 38-31 ‘05 win over SC the biggest bowl comeback win in school history (trailed 21-0 after 1Q). MO was snubbed by the B12’s bowl tie-ins but were helped by their outgoing conerencef to find a home in Shreveport. It’s put up or shut up time for Tiger fans who have been stereotyped as poor travelers. NC is 5-4 vs 9 bowl caliber tms being outscored 26-25 and out-gained 370-356 (out FD’d in 7 out of 9). MO went 3-5 S vs bowl opp outscoring foes 31-30 and out-gaining them 474-460. NC was 1-4 on the road while MO was 1-4. NC has 8 Sr’s among 14 upperclassmen while MO has 11 Sr’s and 18 upperclassmen. These teams are very similar but North Carolina’s DL has reaped praise from many opposing coaches and their destructiveness can actually be a difference in the gm. The Heels also will have the edge with the skill players on the field but he will go with the more exp’d HC and staff in this one.

PHIL’S FORECAST: MISSOURI 27 NORTH CAROLINA 26