Noon Football: Texas A&M at Mississippi State, Missouri at Florida [UPDATE]
By Ty Duffy
Texas A&M at Mississippi State: Mississippi State is putting #SnowBowl12 in the end zones to commemorate the 2000 Independence Bowl. Fun game, but this is a short step above Missouri’s victory t-shirts. Both teams will be wearing special uniforms. Maroon is passé. This is another difficult challenge for the Bulldogs’ defense. They have an awesome secondary, but bend considerably against the run. The Aggies are third nationally in yards per carry.
Missouri at Florida: Can Missouri compete with a first-tier SEC team? Their weaknesses have been compounded by injuries. We have not seen it yet. Missouri has been awful at every facet of offense. To keep up with Florida, the Tigers will need big plays. Enter Marcus Murphy, four returns for touchdowns this year, coming back from injury. They also need to force some turnovers. Missouri does not have a Jarvis Jones, but they are leading the nation in forced fumbles. Worry not, we will be on Muschamp gif watch.
Oklahoma at Iowa State: Always worry about ranked teams heading to Ames, though it is hard to see Oklahoma letting down after their debacle last week. Bob Stoops is letting the excuses fly during another disappointing season. The Sooners will need a win here and help, if they want to avoid making this the first two-year conference title drought of the Stoops era. The book is out on Oklahoma: stop the run, keep the passing game in front. Iowa State is decent enough at doing both, though they will be without Jake Knott.
The Little Brown Jug: Denard Robinson will play. Denard Robinson is not playing. Is this the week Michigan scores a touchdown? This was 58-0 game in Ann Arbor last season, though the Gophers are much improved. Minnesota is 5-1 at home. If they can beat Illinois, they are going bowling. Great turnaround for Jerry Kill.
[Photo via Presswire]