Joe D'Amico's NCAAF Independence Bowl Winner

North Carolina vs. Missouri, 12/26/2011 17:00 EDT, Score: 24 - 41

Point Spread: +6½/-115 North Carolina

Sportsbook: Bovada

Result: Loss

Today's winner is North Carolina over Missouri. This is my Independence Bowl winners.

Both teams are 7-5. Both have sophmore QB's who post big numbers and can carry the offensive load. The Tar Heels have an interim HC in Everett Withers and the seniors would love to go out with a bang for him here. Larry Fedora will be taking the reins next year. North Carolina's top WR, Dwight Jones won't be playing but the explosive Giovani Bernard is playing. The ball-carrier has 1222 YR, a 5.4 YPC average, and 13 TDs. QB, Brynn Renner has tallied a 68.8% completion rate, 2769 YP, and 23 TDs. Missouri has more weapons on paper but RB Henry Josey is out. The offense depends on Josey a lot. The RB has1168 YR, 8.1 YPC avg, and 9 TDs. Missouri is still part of the defensively-depleted Big 12 and is just 9-16 ATS vs. Bowl teams the L4 years and has dropped the L3 Bowl games by 6, 28 1/2, and 6 points ATS. The Tigers are 0-5 ATS their L5 games played in December, 1-4 ATS their L5 Bowl games played as a favorite, and 3-8 ATS their L11 games played at a neutral site. The Tar Heels are 5-2 ATS their L7 non-Conference games, 19-9 ATS their L28 games played as an underdog, and 8-3 ATS their L11 games played after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game. Take North Carolina. Thank you.