5 Bold Predictions For Missouri vs. Minnesota In Citrus Bowl

By Sam Mattfolk

5 Bold Predictions For Missouri vs. Minnesota In Citrus Bowl

Gary Pinkel — Entering bowl season, Missouri and Minnesota are both coming off difficult losses. The SEC East champion Tigers mustered little fight to No. 1 Alabama but boast one of the nation's most intimidating defensive fronts. Minnesota will rely on their running game to hang around with the hopes of making winning plays in the fourth quarter. Here are five bold predictions for this Citrus Bowl collision.

5. Turnover Margin Will Decide The Game

Jerry Kill

5. Turnover Margin Will Decide The Game

Jerry Kill — Minnesota doesn’t have an explosive offense, but they will take advantage of short fields and finish drives in the red zone. The Missouri defense needs to be opportunistic as the Golden Gophers don’t air it out much, but a key turnover could swing momentum in the second half.

4. Mitch Leidner Won’t Top 150 Passing Yards

Mitch Leidner

4. Mitch Leidner Won’t Top 150 Passing Yards

Mitch Leidner — Minnesota is a running football team, and Leidner only has one 200-plus yard passing performance this season. The Golden Gophers won’t look to throw too much to neutralize Missouri’s sack-happy defensive line. Leidner’s impact will be made in the zone-read running game and making sound decisions and accurate throws on screens.

3. Maty Mauk Will Give Minnesota A Chance

Maty Mauk

3. Maty Mauk Will Give Minnesota A Chance

Maty Mauk — Embattled Tigers QB Maty Mauk has had his share of rough outings in 2014, most notably a combined 107 yards, zero TDs and five INTs against Florida and Georgia en route to a poor 52.9 percent completion rate. Mauk’s accuracy struggles could hamper the Missouri offense against a solid Minnesota defense. Drive-killing misfires and costly mistakes could give the underdog a chance.

2. David Cobb Will Top 150 Rushing Yards

David Cobb

2. David Cobb Will Top 150 Rushing Yards

David Cobb — The senior RB was nicked up late in the season but should be 100 percent entering his final game. Expect Minnesota to hand it to their workhorse 30 times with a strong success rate. The Missouri defensive line is extremely talented but hasn’t been excellent against the run. Fearing the Tiger pass rush, Jerry Kill’s team will run early and often to move the football.

1. Missouri Will Pull Away Late

Bud Sasser

1. Missouri Will Pull Away Late

Bud Sasser — The difference in this game should be Missouri’s ability to connect down the field. Mauk is an inconsistent player, but the Tigers' playmakers have superior speed on the edge and should be able to escape over the top for a few big plays. The Golden Gophers are a tough team to trail, but once they fall behind it will be difficult to score in bunches with a tepid passing attack.

Teams in this article »

Minnesota Golden Gophers

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Missouri Tigers

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