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Texas Football: Preview, prediction, live stream vs. Missouri in Texas Bowl

By Shelbie Warr

BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: The Texas Longhorns celebrate a touchdown against the California Golden Bears in the first quarter on September 17, 2016 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. Cal won 50-43. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
BERKELEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: The Texas Longhorns celebrate a touchdown against the California Golden Bears in the first quarter on September 17, 2016 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. Cal won 50-43. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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Texas football and Missouri will face off in the 2017 Texas Bowl. One is looking to extend a winning streak and the other a winning season.

For the first time since 2014 when they played in the Texas Bowl against Arkansas, the Texas Longhorns are going bowling. The Longhorns lost that game 31-7.  On the flip side, Missouri is also making its first appearance since 2014. They won the SEC East that year and beat Minnesota in the Citrus Bowl.

This season, Texas sits at 6-6 and is coming off a loss to Texas Tech at home. Missouri is 7-5 and looking to extend a six game win streak. One team is looking at a possible losing record and a thin roster and the other is home to SEC and NCAA passing touchdowns leader.

Here is how you can watch the 2017 Texas Bowl online:

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 27
Time: 9:00 pm ET
Location: Houston, Texas
Venue: NRG Stadium
Network: ESPN
Line: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

For Texas, they will have to overcome the losses from both sides of the ball and find a way to shut down and then out offense Drew Lock and company. Lock is the NCAA passing touchdown leader for a reason. They have quite a big task ahead of them. The Texas offense will also need to have a large focus on taking care of the ball and limiting turnovers.

For Missouri, they will need to start fast and not let up in terms of offense. They should also prepare for both of Texas quarterbacks as they could easily both see field time. The Tigers need to keep up what they have been doing as it has obviously been working as they head into this bowl game to cap off the 2017 season. While Lock says that this will have nothing to do with his decision to go pro, a good team performance could keep the quarterback around another year.

Prediction

Texas will hang around for a bit at first, but will ultimately be out-offensed  by the Missouri Tigers. Drew Lock throws at least four touchdowns as the Tigers cruise to a double digit victory over the depleted Longhorns. Both quarterbacks will see the field for the Longhorns and a few untimely turnovers will due them in.

Next: Predicting all 41 bowl games and CFB Playoff

This game will have Texas back to the drawing board for the 2018 season and Missouri set up for what could be a strong season in the upcoming year. Of course, they will have to fight against the likes of Georgia in the SEC East, but with Drew Lock at the helm anything is possible.

Final Score: Missouri 31, Texas 14

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