Missouri, Wake Forest conclude season in Gasparilla Bowl

Gasparilla Bowl: Wake Forest (7-5) vs. Missouri (6-6), Dec. 23, 6:30 p.m. EST (ESPN)

FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK COLLEGE LINE: Wake Forest by 1 1/2.

Sequence report: First assembly.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Missouri is searching for its first bowl win for the reason that Gary Pinkel-coached Tigers beat Minnesota within the 2014 Capital One Bowl. The Tigers have misplaced three in a row since, together with a 24-22 loss to Military in final yr’s Armed Forces Bowl in coach Eli Drinkwitz’s first bowl look on the college. Wake Forest appears to be like to rebound after dropping 4 of its last 5 regular-season video games. Seven of the Demon Deacons’ 17 bowl appearances have come within the final seven years beneath coach Dave Clawson.

KEY MATCHUP

Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman towards the Missouri protection. Hartman has 107 profession landing passes and wishes another to interrupt a tie with Clemson’s Tajh Boyd (2010-13) for many in Atlantic Coast Convention historical past. He additionally want 313 yards passing to affix North Carolina State’s Philip Rivers (13,484, 2000-03) as the one quarterbacks in ACC historical past to achieve 13,000 yards.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Wake Forest: LB Ryan Smenda Jr. had 106 tackles in 11 video games this yr. His 344 profession tackles are the 14th most within the ACC since 2005.

Missouri: QB Brady Prepare dinner accomplished 218 of 334 passes for two,509 yards. He has 13 landing passes and 7 interceptions.

FACTS & FIGURES

Wake Forest is averaging 36.8 factors. It’s the one program within the ACC to common at the very least 30 in every of the final six seasons. … Missouri’s protection is permitting a median of 25 factors. … WR Dominic Lovett, who led Missouri with 56 receptions and 846 yards, received’t play after getting into the switch portal. DEs Isaiah McGuire and DJ Coleman and S Martez Manuel all opted out of the bowl to arrange for the NFL draft. … Wake Forest WR A.T. Perry has a school-best 28 profession TD receptions. He’s one away from tying for fourth-most in ACC historical past.

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