Missouri Tigers vs Army Black Knights 2021 Armed Forces Bowl
This Wednesday, December 22, we have our Missouri vs Army prediction for the 2021 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl. This is the only bowl game being played on Wednesday. The SEC Missouri Tigers (6-6) finished fourth in the East Division with a 3-5 record. The Tigers, who went 3-2 for their last five games, lost their last contest 34-17 to #25 Arkansas. This season, the Independent Army Black Knights (8-4) won four of their final five games, winning four straight until they lost 17-13 to Navy in their final game of the season.
Armed Forces Bowl Spread and Totals Odds
Underdog Missouri is at +4.0 (-111). Army can be found at -3.5 (-113). The over/under ranges from 56.5. The over is -104 and under -116. The 2021 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl will be played at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Forth Worth, TX with kickoff at 8:00 pm ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN. The weather forecast is for cloudy skies with temperatures in the high 40s. Winds will be from the SSE at 7 mph and gusts up to 14 mph. There is zero chance of precipitation.
Tigers vs Black Knights Pick - Stats
The Black Knights top the Tigers in terms of scoring offense (33.6-29.7 PPG) and scoring defense (22.3-34.7 PPG). Army brings a dominant rush attack to the field (286.4-178.9 YPG). However, Missouri is averaging 233.2 passing YPG while Army is throwing the football for 94.8 YPG.
The Black Knights’ defense is superior statistically to Missouri’s. The Tiger rushing D is porous, allowing 229.3 YPG. Their passing defense is giving up 216.1 YPG, while their total defensive yards come to 445.4 YPG. On the other hand, our Missouri vs Army prediction notes that the Black Knights are holding opponents to 320.3 total YPG. That includes 208.9 passing and 111.3 running YPG.
Missouri vs Army Prediction - Key Players
If Missouri QB Connor Bazelak (2,548 YDs, 65.3 COMP%, 16, TDs 11 INT, 13 SCKs) can connect with wideout Tyler Badie (54 REC, 4 TDs), the Tigers will win. Note, the Tiger passing game is not their primary offensive weapon. For the Tigers, their ground game is their main method of scoring. This season, running back Tyler Badie has run for 1,604 yards, averaging 6.0 YPA and scoring 14 times. Unfortunately, both Bazelak and Badie have opted out of the game, crippling Missouri’s offense.
On defense, deep back Kris Abrams-Draine (7 PD, 3 INTs) anchors the secondary while DB Martez Manuel (77 TKLs, 4.5 SCKs, 3 PD, 1 INT) and LB Blaze Alldredge (75 TKLs, 4.5 SCKs) are premium defenders.
Army QB Christian Anderson is a typical Black Knight signal caller, as he’s a runner who passes sometimes. Anderson has tossed five TD passes and no interceptions. On the other hand, over 100 rush attempts he’s gained 586 yards, averaging 5.9 YPA and scoring seven times. Tyrell Robinson leads the unit with 603 yards on 66 attempts. He’s averaging 9.1 YPA and has scored three times. RB Jakobi Buchanan has crossed the goal line 11 times while QB Tyhier Tyler has scored seven TDs. Three players, two of whom are running backs, have grabbed three TD passes each. LB Andre Carter II (14.5 SCKs, 2 PD, 1 INT) and DB Marquel Broughton (5 PD, 2 INTs) are defensive anchors.
Missouri vs Army Prediction
It’s virtually impossible to discount Army’s defense and their massive ground attack. The Tigers seem to be outflanked in just about every part of their game. This is especially true due to opt outs. Our Missouri vs Army prediction is the Black Knights at -3.5 (-110). We expect Army will score around 38 points and Missouri 14. We’re taking under 56.5 (-116)
Sports Betting Smarts is previewing and predicting every one of this season’s 41 college football bowl games. In the first week, we went 12-4 with an 8-2 mark on Saturday. See our Famous Idaho Potato Bowl pick and our Frisco Bowl prediction. Both of which are being played on Tuesday, December 21.
2021 Armed Forces Bowl - Missouri vs Army Summary
Spread - Army at -3.5 (-110)
Over/Under - Under 56.5 (-116)
