TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
Jan. 1
No. 25 Missouri vs. No. 9 Michigan State
In the midst of Missouri's upset over Texas A&M, head coach Calvin Smith overlooked one thing he said in his prediction of beating the Aggies a few weeks ago.
"I looked at the bowl schedule, and noticed we did knock A&M out of a BCS game," Smith said. "Mission accomplished, I suppose."
In two straight games, the Tigers played spoiler and knocked Alabama and Texas A&M out of possible berths in BCS games. The Crimson Tide are in the Cotton Bowl against Oklahoma, and the Aggies get the honor of playing Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1.
Where does that put the Tigers? They get a New Year's Day game, as well. But when Smith saw the opponent, his jaw dropped.
"I almost went into shock," he said. "No way did we think we'd play them."
Mizzou accepted a bid to play in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Jan. 1, but had to wait until late Sunday night to find out who the opponent was. It turns out that the Tigers will play the only team to have defeated Ohio State this season: No. 9 Michigan State.
Yes, the same Buckeyes who will be in the National Championship game against Kansas State in a few weeks. The Spartans knocked off No. 2 Ohio State back on Nov. 9 at home, 35-33, and were in prime position to represent the Big Ten in the BCS, as well. But the Spartans lost back-to-back road games against Nebraska and Northwestern and dropped out of the top-10 as quickly as they entered.
"Obviously, they're a tough team because they're the only ones to beat Ohio State," Smith said. "It's not like we're going to take this game lightly. Just like we did these last two. We're coming out and fighting."
The road to the postseason was much tougher for Mizzou, having to need one win against either Alabama or Texas A&M. The Tigers won both, and were awarded with a top-25 spot in the BCS rankings.
James Franklin is also rewarded with one final game as Missouri quarterback, as the senior is expected to do two things by the end of January: Graduate with honors, and bring home a trophy to Faurot Field.
"Obviously, I wish we could be in a better spot, but we're just happy to be here considering where we weren't a few weeks ago," Franklin said. "I'm going to live in the moment for this one."
This is the first time in two years that Mizzou is in a bowl game, its first in the SEC. In 2011, the Tigers beat North Carolina in the Advocare V100 Independence Bowl. The offensive MVP of that game? Franklin.
He accounted for 273 yards and three touchdowns in that game as a sophomore. But now a senior, Franklin will bring that confidence from a few years ago to Florida this time around.
"I always look back at that game as a springboard to what could've been," Franklin said. "Last year, it was a rough patch in the SEC. Now, we have that, plus bowl experience. We're not weaklings coming in."
This will be Michigan State's sixth straight bowl appearance, making a bowl game in each year of head coach Mark Dantonio's tenure. The Spartans have won their last two bowl games, but haven't made a BCS game since 1988.
MSU possesses a veteran team, nonetheless. Senior quarterback Andrew Maxwell is having a stellar season taking care of the ball, throwing 20 touchdowns to only five interceptions. Just like what the Tigers did to Johnny Manziel and Blake Sims, the defense needs to rattle Maxwell early and often.
Maxwell is just as dangerous running the football. He's the team's leader with 11 rushing touchdowns, but Mizzou has faced enough dual-threat quarterbacks this year to know what to expect.
"It seems to be nothing new," Smith said. "We know what we're getting. Their running game is on point, and perhaps more dangerous than ever before."
Changes are brewing for Missouri after this year. When Franklin and others move on, Mizzou will be embracing a new culture by switching offensive and defensive schemes. For the final time, the Tigers will play in a spread offense and a 4-3 defense.
It's a change of the times, as Smith calls it. A new era will usher in at Mizzou starting next year. But the Tigers want to get there first.
"One more game, and we can rest easy," Smith said. "Well, until recruiting and all that. That never gets old."
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