Missouri vs Wake Forest: Line, Prediction, TV Channel & Live Stream for 2022 Gasparilla Bowl

An SEC/ACC matchup, Missouri and Wake Forest are set to face off Friday night in the 2022 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl for what is the first-ever meeting between the Tigers and Demon Deacons on the gridiron.

Beginning with Missouri, the Tigers finished the 2022 regular season with a 6-6 overall record, as well as a 3-5 mark in SEC play. The Tigers won both of their last two games of the regular season against New Mexico State and Arkansas to become bowl eligible, which added to a resume that included Missouri’s best win of the season at South Carolina back on October 29.

The Missouri offense has averaged 25.5 PPG to rank No. 83 nationally this season, and is led by quarterback Brady Cook, who has thrown for 2,504 yards with a 13:7 TD:INT ratio this season, while also rushing for six more scores. The Tigers rushing attack is led by the duo of Cody Schrader and Nathaniel Peat, while Luther Burden and Barrett Banister will be the top receiving options with leading wideout Dominic Lovett out.

Missouri’s defense has allowed 25 PPG to opponents this season, and are led by one of the SEC’s top pass rushers in Isaiah McGuire. Jaylon Carlies, Ty’ron Hopper, and Joseph Charleston are the lone players with 50+ tackles each this season, while others such as Martez Manuel and Chad Bailey are also names to know.

Wake Forest however owns a 7-5 overall record this season under head coach Dave Clawson, as well as a 3-5 mark in ACC play. The Demon Deacons started the season with a 6-1 overall record, but have struggled since, owning a 1-4 mark across their last five games.

The Wake Forest offense, which ranks No. 15 nationally with an average of 36.8 PPG, is led by one of the ACC’s top quarterbacks in Sam Hartman, who has thrown for 3,421 yards with a 35:11 TD:INT ratio so far this season. The Demon Deacons have two primary options at running back in the duo of Justice Ellison and Christian Turner, while Wake Forest also has numerous 500+ yard receivers in A.T. Perry, Donovan Greene, Jahmal Banks, Taylor Morin, and Ke’Shawn Williams.

Defensively, Wake Forest has allowed 29.2 PPG to opponents this season, and are led in tackles by linebacker Ryan Smenda Jr with 106 total, with Chase Jones next closest with 66 total. Jasheen Davis is the Demon Deacons top pass rusher with seven sacks on the year, while others such as Chelen Garnes, Malik Mustapha, and AJ Williams among the additional names to watch for.

Missouri vs Wake Forest Line, Spread, Over/Under

According to FanDuel, Wake Forest is a 1.5-point favorite over Missouri as of Wednesday morning, with the over/under at 59.5. Wake Forest is -114, while Missouri is -105.

Missouri vs Wake Forest 2022 Gasparilla Bowl Prediction

As indicated by the line above, this matchup between Missouri and Wake Forest will likely be close, and could go either way. I’ll say that Wake Forest wins a close one however, in part due to a big game from the Demon Deacons passing game. Prediction: Missouri 28, Wake Forest 30

What Channel is the Missouri vs Wake Forest Game On?

The 2022 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl between Missouri and Wake Forest will be played on Friday, December 23 at 6:30 PM ET on ESPN from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL.

Missouri vs Wake Forest Live Stream

A live stream can be found here on fuboTV of the 2022 Gasparilla Bowl between Missouri and Wake Forest.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change