Not a dull moment at Mizzou State, where HC Ryan Beard recently moved to Coastal Carolina, and where SMU OC Casey Woods was just hired as his replacement. For tonight, OC Nick Petrino will serve as interim coach. Worth noting, perhaps, that both of these sides will have their regular-season QBs available in Frisco, as Jacob Clark for Mizzou State and Jaylen Raynor for Arkansas State have decided to stay and play. The venue tonight suggests the sort of conditions that could help the offenses, indoors at the climate-controlled Ford Center in Frisco, at the Dallas Cowboys complex. Both teams were involved in high-scoring games late in the season and expect some of the same tonight. Play Missouri State-Arkansas State Over (Xbox Bowl at Frisco)
Let's go with continuity here. Missouri State is missing coach Ryan Beard, off to Coastal Carolina -- and replaced by OC Nick Petrino (son of Bobby), who has yet to serve as a head coach. The Bears also bid adieu to five impactful transfers, notably WR Tristian Gardner, who tied for the team lead for TD receptions. Arkansas State is pretty much impact, and veteran coach Butch Jones has won five of his last six bowls SU. Though both offenses are potent, they tend to produce more points in home games. Neither side enjoys the luxury here, and the Red Wolves' defense is marginally superior.
