The Cotton Bowl will kick off tonight, featuring a battle between the No.7 Ohio State Buckeyes and the No.9 Missouri Tigers.
This matchup will mark the first time both programs have met since 1998, where the Buckeyes defeated the Tigers 35-14. The Buckeyes have dominated in all-time games played against the Tigers with a 10-1-1 record. Mizzou looks to make a statement in the college football world with an underdog win.
The Buckeyes, who are no strangers to competing in New Year's six bowl games, with them winning the Rose Bowl in 2022; missed out on College Football Playoffs after their loss to Michigan in their season finale.
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Cotton Bowl Ohio State Buckeyes Vs Missouri Tigers: The Missing Piece
The Buckeyes may be without wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., with his status remaining unknown being that the NFL Draft is looming. Harrison has had a breakout year, becoming a two time AP All-American and is expected to be taken with a high draft pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Missouri enters this game looking for its first bowl win since the 2014 Citrus Bowl victory. This was a solid season for head coach Eliah Drinkwitz and the Missouri Tigers, who had won 10 games for the first time in 2014.
Cotton Bowl Ohio State Buckeyes Vs Missouri Tigers: Things to Watch
Mizzou must be able to put up points against the Buckeyes' defense, whether it be through the air or on the ground. This season, Mizzou's offense has looked strong behind the play of quarterback Brad Cook and running back Cody Schrader.
Cooks has been stellar for Missouri this season, throwing for 3,200 passing yards and 20 touchdowns. His passing efficiency, which currently sits at 158.08, is an all-time record in the program's history, making him one of the SEC lethal signal callers.
Schrader has also been a significant factor for Mizzous's offense this season, rushing for 1499 yards and finding the end zone again 13 times.
The Buckeyes come into tonight's game with a reliable defense behind them that has made significant plays all season. They will need to continue to make big time plays to pick up a win tonight.
For the Buckeyes, which receiver will show up tonight?
With Harrison Jr. in question, second-string wide receiver Carnell Tate must show up to give the Buckeyes any hope of competing in tonight's matchup. Last season, Tate caught 17 passes for 260 yards and one touchdown.
Though he is not as electric and game changing as Harrison Jr., Tate would need to step up in this Bowl game to give the Buckeyes a chance.
After starting quarterback Kyle McCord transferred to Syracuse, Devin Brown got the starting nod for the first time, giving him a chance to show what he could do , using this year's Cotton Bowl as the stage.
This season, Brown saw little action outside of a Week 2 blowout of Youngstown State where he completed 7 of 13 passes and ran six times for a total of 110 yards combined.
This could be an excellent opportunity for the quarterback to show what he can do.
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