Both Missouri and Oklahoma State were hoping to cap off impressive seasons with trips to a BCS bowl game, but those plans were derailed by Oklahoma and Auburn in the final games of the season. The Tigers and Cowboys are now forced to settle into the AT&T Cotton Bowl as a former Big 12 rivalry is renewed in Dallas.
Missouri was hoping to finish off an impressive turn-around season with a trip to the Sugar Bowl. Just one year removed from having one of the worst records in the SEC, the Tigers earned a trip to the SEC Championship Game where they lost the Auburn and ended their dreams of a better bowl game. An 11-2 finish is certainly nothing to be sad about as the team's high-flying offense looks to create another shootout on Friday night.
The Tigers had one of the best offenses in the league, putting up 39.0 points per game along with 492.9 yards of total offense each week. Junior running back Henry Josey played his role, racking up 1,074 yards on the ground along with 13 touchdowns. Quarterback James Franklin managed 2,255 yards and 19 touchdowns despite missing four games with a separated shoulder.
Oklahoma State was certainly hoping for a different outcome of their season. The Cowboys lost to Oklahoma while Baylor beat Texas, ending the team's chances of a BCS bid. Oklahoma State has a high-powered offense that sits very comparable to Missouri's. The Cowboys averaged 39.8 points per game while putting up 440.5 yards of total offense each week.
Clint Chelf will take over as quarterback after earning the starting spot midway through the season. He finished with 1,792 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also proved to be a strong dual-threat player, rushing for 321 yards and six touchdowns.
The AT&T Cotton Bowl features a renewed former Big 12 rivalry. Missouri and Oklahoma State have not played one another in a few years after the Tigers departed due to conference re-alignment. The Tigers and the Cowboys are certainly much different teams than a few years ago giving the Cotton Bowl the making of an exciting Big 12, SEC shootout.