Cotton Bowl 2008 ...Hog Roast

Having Mizzou blow the game against Oklahoma and thus a shot at a national title was tough, but then to find out they were matched against the Hogs in the Cotton Bowl was a real blow. For fans of both teams, like me, this almost ruins the experience...but not enough for me not to make a prediction. The unqualified anaylsis begins.... The Hogs have to be in somewhat disarray due to the quick departure of a true player's' coach in Houston Nutt. Plus, throw in the fact that interim head coach Reggie Herring (Hog's defensive coordinator under Nutt) was passed up for the job after publicly stating he was interested in being Head Hog makes your wonder what passion he will have for coaching the game. Mizzou, on the other hand, has a coaching staff that is looking at no changes or upheaval and with a little chip on their shoulder for being passed over by the BCS for Kansas, a team they manhandled just a few short weeks ago. Considering what has transpired in the last few weeks Mizzou will have a distinct advantage over the Razorbacks. The interesting aspect of the game is the Hogs running game featuring the Heisman finalist Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, versus a weak-against-the-run Mizzou D. While the most suspect of the Hogs game is the defensive backfield, a fact I am sure has left Chase Daniels salivating. I really think Mizzou has the better over all team, and as much as it hurts, the E. E. Lawson prediction gives the nod to Mizzou....31-17. Please remember to wager responsibly...it's the law.