Cotton Bowl: #9 Missouri vs #7 Ohio State Odds, and Picks (Dec 29)

• Missouri is the highest ranked 2-loss team, earning an NY6 bowl game.
• Ohio State finished the year at 11-1, claiming a spot in the Cotton Bowl.
• These two teams last met on September 19, 1998, in a game Ohio State won 35-14.

The college football season has reached the bowl games! Let’s preview the 2023 Cotton Bowl between the Missouri Tigers and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Both teams are looking for a signature NY6 Bowl victory.

How to Watch

• ESPN

Preview

Missouri had an excellent season this year, reaching 10 wins for the first time since 2014. The Tigers also claimed their first NY6 Bowl bid in a decade, returning to the Cotton Bowl 10 years after they defeated Oklahoma State in the 2013 Cotton Bowl. The Tigers performed well all season long, and never lost by more than 10 points. They enter this game as the favorites over a similarly dangerous Ohio State squad.

Ohio State had the same result for the 2nd straight season. After starting the year 11-0, they lost to rival Michigan in Week 12, missing out on the Big-10 title game, and subsequently, the CFP. The Buckeyes have made an NY6 Bowl in 11 consecutive seasons, but only made the title game two times during that span. They will be out of title contention again this season, but can still shoot for another NY6 bowl victory here.

Prediction

The Buckeyes went from a touchdown favorite in this game to underdogs following the announcement that starting QB Kyle McCord had entered the transfer portal. Ohio State will now be forced to field one of their Freshman QBs in this game. Despite the expected lack of experience under center, they still have a well-rounded program that should be able to support a young QB. I’m taking the Buckeyes to win this one.

NCAAF Picks:

• Ohio State 27, Missouri 24 ()