2008 Alamo Bowl Preview
The 2008 Alamo Bowl between Northwestern and Missouri will likely be decided by the mindset of the Tigers. If Missouri is up for the game it has the offensive talent to eventually pull away from Northwestern, which should score some points of its own.
Missouri is favored by 12.5 and the total on the game is 66.5.
The Tigers had title game aspirations heading into this season and throughout part of it, but never really regained their early season form after being upset by Oklahoma State.
Chase Daniel is a quality quarterback and has plenty of talented targets to throw to and several threats capable of breaking a big play each time they touch the ball.
The Missouri defense is nothing to get excited about, although they faced offenses much more explosive than Northwestern.
Northwestern's leading rusher, Tyrell Sutton, should return for the game after missing the Wildcats' last four games with a wrist injury. Sutton had over 1,000 yards combined (rushing and receiving) so his return will be a boost.
The two conferences the teams play in couldn't be more different, which makes it difficult to predict the over/under. My thought is if you like Missouri to take the over, if you like Northwestern, you'll probably be wanting to see the under in, since it's doubtful Northwestern can hang with Missouri in a shootout.
If I had more of a feeling about Missouri's mental frame of mind, I'd rate this game higher, but am a little hesitant to back a team who has to be disappointed to be here.
1.5* Missouri -12.5
