When the Cotton Bowl matchup between Ohio State and Missouri was set, the Buckeyes were made touchdown-favorites quickly. However, transfers and opt outs have swung that line all the way to make Missouri a small favorite for much of the lead up to the game. Ohio State has since become the favorite again.
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The Buckeyes will be without quarterback Kyle McCord, who is transferring to Syracuse. McCord received some criticism this year, but went 11-1 as a first-year starter while passing for 3,170 yards, 24 touchdowns and threw six interceptions. Sophomore Devin Brown is expected to get the start in McCord’s place. Brown entered the season in a quarterback competition with McCord, but hasn’t attempted a pass in game-action since Oct. 14.
Brown will be working without some of OSU’s best weapons. No. 2 running back Chip Trayanum (373 rushing yards, 3 TDs) is transferring to Kentucky and No. 3 wide receiver Julian Fleming (270 receiving yards) is also in the transfer portal. Of course, the big, but unsurprising news is that Heisman Trophy finalist Marvin Harrison Jr. won’t play. It wasn’t official until gameday, but Harrison is expected to be one of the top picks in the NFL Draft. Running back TreVeyon Henderson has said he will play.
Ohio State still has plenty of talent. Being without a few pieces doesn’t mean the Buckeyes will be trotting out a weak team at AT&T Stadium, but OSU being in this game is a disappointment. Meanwhile, getting here is a huge accomplishment for Missouri. Missouri is in its first New Year’s Six bowl and the biggest bowl game for the program since last playing in the Cotton Bowl in the 2013 season. Ohio State has made a New Year’s Six bowl, including College Football Playoff games, each of the 10 years since the move to the four-team playoff.
Mizzou running back Cody Schrader finished top 10 in Heisman voting after rushing for 1,489 yards in the regular season, fourth-most in the country. Wide receiver Luther Burden III racked up 1,197 yards, just 14 fewer than Harrison Jr. Mizzou’s offense has put up numbers, but so has Ohio State’s defense. The Buckeyes have allowed just 11 points per game, the second-lowest total in the nation.
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The Tigers are expected to be without two key defenders due to injuries. Second-team All-SEC linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper and No. 2 cornerback Ennis Rakestraw are not expected to play.
Missouri is 2-0 in the Cotton Bowl, winning in the 2007 and 2013 seasons. Mizzou has lost its last four bowl games, and last won a bowl in the 2014 season. Ohio State is 2-12 all-time in bowl games against the SEC.
All odds from BetMGM. Looking for college football tickets? Find them here.
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How to watch and stream Missouri vs. Ohio State
TV coverage is set for 8 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 29, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Tex. ESPN will provide coverage for the game and it will be streaming on the ESPN app.
Pregame reading
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College football picks against the spread: Bruce Feldman’s New Year’s Six bowl predictions
New Year’s Six previews: How will SEC and Big Ten fare in head-to-head bowls?
Ohio State football players showing what Cotton Bowl matchup with Missouri means to them
(Photo of Cody Schrader: Wesley Hitt / Getty Images)
