GAME THREAD: Missouri looks to finish strong against Oklahoma State in the Liberty Bowl

No. 23 Missouri (8-4) takes on Oklahoma State (6-6) in the 2018 Autozone Liberty Bowl on Monday, and the Tigers have a lot at stake.

A win would give Missouri exactly nine wins on the year — something that’s only happened twice before (1899, 1969). A win would also send out Drew Lock, Terry Beckner, Emanuel Hall, etc., with a deserving finish to their college careers after four not-so-easy seasons in Columbia.

Follow along below for updates and analysis during the Liberty Bowl.

Liberty Bowl: Live updates, score

5:54 4Q, Oklahoma State 38, Missouri 33: Missouri couldn’t do anything after a failed fake punt gave them the ball at Oklahoma State’s 32 and a Tucker McCann field goal was blocked. Oklahoma State’s drive got into the red zone but the Cowboys had to settle for a field goal.

11:50 4Q, Oklahoma State 35, Missouri 33: Larry Freakin’ Rountree HOUSES one on what looked like a busted play. Instead, this game is right there for the taking. Rountree has 183 yards on 21 carries.

12:18 4Q, Oklahoma State 35, Missouri 26: Missouri has some how responded and has used two interceptions by Cam Hilton to bring this game back within reach. An 86-yard touchdown catch by Johnathon Johnson came one play after the first interception.

10:21 3Q, Oklahoma State 28, Missouri 16: Oklahoma State scores on its opening drive, then capitalizes off a Jalen Knox fumble to score quickly again to give themselves some breathing room.

HALFTIME: Missouri 16, Oklahoma State 14: Missouri goes into halftime with the lead after a fantastic touchdown catch by Kendall Blanton. However, a bad snap lead to a missed PAT. Oklahoma State will get the ball first after halftime.

5:31 2Q Oklahoma State 14, Missouri 10: Oklahoma State scores to re-take the lead, but gets helped with some questionable officiating. A questionable PI extended Oklahoma State’s drive, and then a no-call on an obvious offensive PI gives the Cowboys the touchdown.

7:49 2Q, Missouri 10, Oklahoma State 7: Heck of a drive by Missouri, which goes 97 yards in 16 plays, ending with a five-yard touchdown pass from Drew Lock to Dominic Gicinto to give the Tigers their first lead of the day.

6:46 1Q, Oklahoma State 7, Missouri 3: Missouri puts together a nice drive including a long connection between Lock and Emanuel Hall, but it stalls near the goal line and Missouri has to settle for a field goal.

9:27 1Q, Oklahoma State 7, Missouri 0: Missouri’s defense couldn’t get off the field as Oklahoma State goes 3-3 on third-downs, including a 30-yard touchdown pass to Dillon Stoner on third-and-10 with a nice assist by the official who blocked a Missouri defender to spring Stoner.

13:39 1Q: A quick three-and-out for Missouri gives the ball to Oklahoma State after a punt into the endzone. Missouri went run-run-pass — on the pass it looked like some confusion between Lock and Johnson on the incompletion.

Liberty Bowl: Time, TV channel, game information

Time: 2:45 p.m. CT

Date: Monday, Dec. 31, 2018

Location: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tenn.

TV: ESPN

Weather: Rain in the morning, but cloudy and 57 degrees at kickoff with 5% chance of rain through the evening.

Liberty Bowl: Watch online

Fans can watch the Liberty Bowl online at WatchESPN.com with a valid cable/satellite log-in.

Liberty Bowl: Betting odds

Missouri opened as a ten-point favorite and the line has moved to Missouri -8.5 or -9. The over/under is 73.

Liberty Bowl: Predictions, preview

Pete Scantlebury: This is going to be closer than expected but Missouri wins, 31-27, overcoming a rough start to dominate time of possession with its ground game in the second half. Larry Rountree is the offensive MVP and on defense, it’s Cale Garrett.

Jack Parodi: Missouri 45, Oklahoma State 31. Drew Lock throws for a million yards and shows NFL scouts why they should pick him early in this year’s draft. As for the defense, I have a weird feeling DeMarkus Acy is going to go off and nab a pick or two. Don’t ask me why, but I just think he’s going to ball out Tuesday.

Josh Matejka: Drew Lock shows up to blast the Cowboys in his last NFL start and DeMarkus Acy builds on some late season momentum to really get the hype train going for his senior year. Missouri 45, Oklahoma State 32.

Mitch Hill: Like I said, Mizzou needs to shut that offense down. Mizzou 38 OSU 17. Crockett is your MVP on Offense and Christian Holmes is your MVP on Defense with 2 forced turnovers (probably INTs).

Chris Bohkay: Mizzou 56 - OSU 24. Offensive MVP is Lock and Defensive MVP will be Acy and we pop that bubbly all over Beale St with visions of Kelly Bryant and 2019 in our heads!

AlaTiger: 41-24, Mizzou. Drew Lock and Cale Garrett are your MVPs.