Missouri Tigers vs Texas Longhorns Point Spread Picks

TEXAS BOWL - After three straight losing campaigns, Texas got back to winning under first-year coach Tom Herman. They've won three of the last five games, including winning 28-14 at West Virginia as a +3.5 dog. The Longhorns nearly won at USC as a +17 dog, 27-24. Texas has a talented defense that ranks #31 in the nation in points allowed (21.7 points per game) and #42 in total defense (363.6 yards per game) despite playing in the offense-dominated Big 12. They are staying in their home state as this bowl game is in Houston. They are a dog to a Missouri squad that doesn't play much defense, #88 in total yards allowed, #94 in points surrendered (31.8 points per game), and #60 against the run allowing 163.5 yards per contest. By contrast, Texas is sixth in the nation in rush defense. Missouri has to deal with the loss of offensive coordinator Josh Heupel, who was named the new head coach at Central Florida. The Longhorns own a 17-6 straight up record against the Tigers and have captured 15 of the last 17 meetings. Take the dog in its home state with the superior defense and coaching staff to win the game. Play Texas on the moneyline.

It seems like every time you look at the schedule, there is a BIG-12 game going on with National Title implications. This week is no different! Texas took care of business last week in the Red River Rivalry. Now they get the privledge of facing Mizzou and Texas Tech right afterward. Missouri got caught snoozing last week as Chase Daniels threw three INTs resulting in the Tigers' first loss of the year. The Longhorns came from behind last week, expending a lot of energy and emotion in the monster game vs. the Sooners. You have to wonder if they can bring the same type of play for a second week in a row vs. a Missouri team that has equal weapons at their disposal, and strong motivation after their loss. Missouri players know that a win here vs. the #1 team puts them back on the National Title map. A second-straight loss and the hopes are shot. There is talent all over the field here, and the difference is likely to be mindset. Not that Texas doesn't want to win as much as Missouri. But, after what they had to do last week in a physically and emotionally draining game vs. their most hated rival, there is no place to go but down. I expect that to be the difference maker here. Missouri has won six of the last nine Big 12 road games against the spread and I like them here.