Bowl Preview: Texas Bowl

Texas Bowl
Reliant Stadium, Houston
Missouri vs. Navy
Date: Dec. 31
Time: 3:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Line: Missouri -6.5

About Missouri (8-4): The Tigers started off poorly, before rebounding at the end of the year once they started playing within the Big 12 North Division. Same old, Mizzou, though. Lots of passes and lots of points. Not so much tackling.

Intangibles:
Show Me State: -2 (for poor attitude)
Show Me State: +2 (for confidence)
what the hell is in Missouri anyway?: -2

About Navy (9-4): The Midshipmen have had their typical good season. Beat Army, beat Air Force, beat most of the others, but not quite everybody. They run the wishbone, which is sweet. But they can't hang with the big boys, them or their stupid boats.

Intangibles:
Navy Seals: +2
"Navy Seals starring Charlie Sheen": -4
Played at Ohio State and didn't even sail there: -3

Impact player: Mizzou QB Blaine Gabbert has been good when he's healthy. He's healthy now. Look for many, many yards from Gabbert on many, many short passes.

Bowl slogan: "Houston: where the rats are very friendly and very large."

Little Known Fact: Dear Texas, Nobody wants to mess with you. In fact, most of us don't want anything to do with you. We don't want to visit. We don't even want to call. Lighten up.

Watchability (1-5): 2.3

The Pick: Missouri 34, Navy 28