Tigers hope to upset Oklahoma

Missouri will face the Sooners in the Big 12 title game.

By Nick Forrester

Published Dec. 4, 2008

The road to Glendale, Ariz., and the Fiesta Bowl is very simple for the Missouri Tigers. Beat Oklahoma, and the team will go to its first ever BCS Bowl.

That is much easier said than done.

The Tigers are 17.5-point underdogs in their match up against Oklahoma. In the last four games, Oklahoma has scored at least 60 points, including wins over Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. Oklahoma leads the nation in scoring offense with 53.3 points per game and is third in total yardage with 556.7 yards per game.

The Sooners boast an extremely balanced attack in putting up those offensive numbers. Sophomore quarterback Sam Bradford has passed for more than 4,000 yards this season, sophomore tailback DeMarco Murray has more than 1,000 rushing yards and senior wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias is 33 yards short of 1,000 receiving yards this season.

"That's something we have to stop," senior defensive end Stryker Sulak said. "There's no way we can go in there and have a shootout."

Oklahoma has been able to get an early lead on opponents this season, outscoring them 215-30 in the first quarter.

"I think you just have to get going," senior quarterback Chase Daniel said. "You have to get pumped up and be ready to go in all facets of the game, mentally, physically and emotionally, you've got to be ready to go. You've got to be juiced up."

In the last two seasons, the Tigers and Sooners have been two of the nation's top teams. Oklahoma is tied for first for the most number of wins, 22, while Missouri is tied for third, with 21.

"We have the tools to get it done," junior defensive tackle Jaron Baston said. "You're going to see a team that goes out there with the mentality that we are the team to beat. It makes you upset when you hear people doubt you."

Oklahoma's offense is what draws immediate attention, but the Sooner defense has also been strong. Last year, Oklahoma was the only team to keep Missouri under 30 points, holding the Tigers to 17 in last year's Big 12 title game. The Sooners are also second in the nation in turnover margin and are second in the Big 12 in total defense.

"They're second in the nation in turnover margin," coach Gary Pinkel said. "They're plus 14 and we're minus one. They're good at getting the ball out and creating short fields for their offense. That aspect is huge. I think that's going to be huge in this game."

The Missouri secondary has struggled all season, giving up 277.08 yards per game, which is last in the Big 12 and 116th in the nation. If Missouri hopes to upset Oklahoma, the secondary will need to come up with a way to contain Bradford and the OU offense.

"I think anytime you have an opportunity like this, it's great," Pinkel said. "Not many people give us a chance. This is awesome. This is what you're in it for. I'm excited about it and my team's excited about it. We'll get ready to play."