The Friday night time bowl recreation slate options the primary New 12 months’s Six showdown of the postseason as No. 7 Ohio State meets No. 9 Missouri within the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Buckeyes have dominated the all-time collection 10-1-1 — with the final assembly going down in 1998. This time, nevertheless, they’re going through a Missouri group coming off its greatest common season since 2014. The Tigers must be lots motivated for its their first-ever look in a New 12 months’s Six recreation.
Although the Buckeyes missed out on a spot within the School Soccer Playoff by advantage of their loss to rival Michigan within the regular-season finale, their look within the Cotton Bowl nonetheless marks a historic achievement. Ohio State is the one program to look in a New 12 months’s Six bowl in all 10 seasons throughout of the four-team School Soccer Playoff period.
However Ohio State shall be coping with vital adjustments to its offense after beginning quarterback Kyle McCord transferred to Syracuse following the top of the common season. Heisman finalist receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.’s won’t be accessible because the junior weighs heavy curiosity from the NFL. The Buckeyes’ second-leading rusher, Chip Trayanum, additionally hit the portal and is headed to Kentucky.
Nonetheless, Ohio State nonetheless enters with ample expertise, even when a few of it’s unproven.
Comply with alongside on Friday with LIVE UPDATES as Ohio State battles with Missouri within the 2023 Cotton Bowl.
The best way to watch Cotton Bowl stay
Date: Friday, Dec. 29 | Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: AT&T Stadium — Arlington, Texas
TV: ESPN | Reside stream: Fubo (Strive totally free)
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Ohio State vs. Missouri: Have to know
Historic begin: Devin Brown would be the first quarterback in program historical past to make his first begin in a bowl recreation. The sophomore was ranked as a four-star prospect and the No. 5 quarterback within the Class of 2022, in accordance with 247Sports. He appeared in 5 video games whereas backing up McCord this season. His most substantive motion got here in a Week 2 blowout of Youngstown State when he accomplished 7 of 13 passes and ran six instances. In some respects, this recreation may very well be thought-about an audition for Brown as Ohio State coach Ryan Day evaluates the way forward for the quarterback place heading into the offseason.
Younger receivers may shine: Harrison loved a breakout efficiency within the Rose Bowl two seasons in the past with three landing catches after a quiet freshman season. It foreshadowed the massive issues that had been in retailer for Harrison. Now, one other younger receiver may use the bowl stage to pop for the Buckeyes getting into the 2024 season. The prime candidate is Carnell Tate, who caught 17 passes for 260 yards and one landing within the common season. The previous five-star prospect ranked because the No. 3 receiver within the 2023 recruiting class and has flashed his potential when given alternatives this season. With No. 3 extensive receiver Julian Fleming within the switch portal and Harrison not enjoying, Tate may use the Cotton Bowl to announce his arrival on the nationwide stage.
Mizzou’s elite trio: Missouri’s offense discovered its footing this season behind the elite trio of quarterback Brady Cook dinner, working again Cody Schrader and receiver Luther Burden. Cook dinner’s passer effectivity mark of 158.08 ranks third all-time in program historical past getting into the sport because the junior advanced into one of many SEC’s prime quarterbacks. Schrader earned first-team All-American honors from CBS Sports activities whereas speeding for 1,499 yards and 13 touchdowns within the common season. Lastly, Burden loved a breakout sophomore season with 1,197 yards receiving and eight touchdowns, incomes second-team All-American honors from CBS Sports activities. All three are anticipated to play towards the Buckeyes.
Cotton Bowl prediction, picks
Odds by way of SportsLine consensus
Brown is making his first profession begin following McCord’s departure for Syracuse. Brown has performed solely sparingly in his two seasons with the Buckeyes, and there’ll no easing into issues. Missouri is a extremely succesful SEC foe whose solely losses are towards LSU and Georgia. Mizzou shall be motivated to carry out nicely in its first-ever New 12 months’s Six look, whereas Ohio State might have bother matching that power amid the frustration of lacking out on the School Soccer Playoff. Search for the Tigers to shine defensively and put a victorious cap on a banner season for fourth-year coach Eli Drinkwitz. Choose: Missouri +1
Which faculty soccer picks are you able to make with confidence throughout bowl season? Go to SportsLine to see which groups will win and canopy the unfold — all from a confirmed pc mannequin that has returned nicely over $2,000 in revenue over the previous seven-plus seasons — and discover out.
