UNC hits its stride early in 2011 and stumbled late while Missouri got going late in the season - which scenario plays out best in the Independence Bowl odds remains to be seen, but handicappers have been siding with Mizzou so far.

And history has been kind to the favorites in the Independence Bowl, as they are 7-1 ATS the past 8 editions of this exciting bowl game.

Totals bettors have seen the past 3 Independence Bowls play UNDER the total.

Supporters of the Tar Heels have seen them go 7-5 and 6-6 ATS so far this season after a 5-1 start, while the Tigers are at 7-5 and 6-5-1 ATS.



View North Carolina vs Missouri Odds and Stats.

Betting Line: Oddsmakers opened the Tigers as 3.5-point favorites in the game, while the betting total had not been set at the time of writing.





How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Missouri's No. 33-ranked offense (32.2 PPG) against a Tar Heels defense that ranks No. 44 at 23.5 PPG. The Tigers passing attack has averaged 236.2 yards per game, less than the Tar Heels give up through the air (246.8 YPG on average).

In comparing defenses, the Tar Heels own the league's No. 45-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 146.6 yards per game when on the road. Missouri, on the other hand, rates No. 9 this week in generating rushing yards at home.

North Carolina won its last outing, a 37-21 result against Duke on November 26. North Carolina covered in that game as a 14-point favorite, while the 58 combined points took the game OVER the total.

Missouri was a 24-10 Sportsbook in their most recent outing on the road against Kansas. They failed to cover the 26–point spread as favorites, while the total score (34) made Sportsbooks of UNDER bettors.


North Carolina Tar Heels Trends:
When playing in December are 5-3
When playing on turf are 6-4
After outgaining opponent are 6-4
When an underdog on the road are 5-5

Missouri Tigers Trends:
When playing in December are 3-7
When playing on turf are 6-4
After outgaining opponent are 5-5
When favored at home are 10-0

A few Tar Heels at Tigers trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of North Carolina's last 6 games
North Carolina is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games
North Carolina is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Missouri is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Missouri is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games