Big XII Championship Matchup

In this year’s Big 12 Championship, we see Missouri and Oklahoma in a rematch of their October 13th battle. These two are not quite the same teams that we saw earlier this season. Missouri is gaining confidence as they head towards a battle for the number one spot in the nation. Oklahoma is coming off smashing OK State after a disappointing loss to Texas Tech. The Tigers had a short-lived one point lead in the last game this year before Oklahoma capitalized on the Mizzou mistakes. This time around, we will probably see a game that comes down to a last second drive and score to win.

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As usual, I like to bury my nose in the statistics of each team to find out where there may be an edge. Oklahoma’s O-line has been giving the young Bradford plenty of time in the pocket, allowing only 11 sacks in 12 games. This has opened up the running game to a tune of 193 yards a game. Both of these teams can light up the scoreboard, scoring 40+ points a game, but the Sooner’s stout defense is the great equalizer. Oklahoma held Missouri to their lowest point total in the whole year - their defense holds teams to an average of 324 yards per game.

But with DE Auston English looking doubtful for the game, Mizzou’s RB Tony Temple will be looking to take advantage of emotions from watching the earlier match from his couch. As long as he can get emotionally pumped for this game, expect some hard downhill running. Temple’s OU counterpart DeMarco Murray will know how Temple felt as he watches the rest of the season healing his dislocated kneecap.

As long as the Tigers don’t turn the ball over more than two times, I expect this to be a close game. Oklahoma has been great at forcing opponent mistakes, but Mizzou has been playing some great football this past month. Daniel has the poise to win a championship game, which may be necessary in a last minute drive to score the game winning field goal or touchdown. I say Mizzou edges this one out. Expect to watch this game until the clock reads zeros.