The first playoff New Year’s Six matchup between No. 7 Ohio State and No. 9 Missouri takes place in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Friday night. The series has been controlled by the Buckeyes 10-1-1 all-time; the previous encounter was in 1998. But this time, they’re up against a Missouri squad that just finished its best regular season since 2014. The Tigers, who are playing in their first-ever New Year’s Six game, ought to be very motivated.
Despite losing to rival Michigan in the regular-season finale, which prevented the Buckeyes from qualifying for the College Football Playoff, their Cotton Bowl attendance is still a remarkable accomplishment. During the four-team College Football Playoff era, Ohio State is the only program to have an appearance in a New Year’s Six bowl in each of the ten seasons.
However, Ohio State’s offense will be drastically altered since starting quarterback Kyle McCord left for Syracuse at the conclusion of the regular season. Marvin Harrison Jr., a receiver who was a contender for the Heisman Trophy, has had strong attention from the NFL and will not be available. Chip Trayanum, the second-leading rusher for the Buckeyes, also entered the portal and is now on his way to Kentucky.
Even so, Ohio State has a wealth of skill coming into the game, some of it untested.
How to watch the Cotton Bowl in real time
When: Friday, December 29 at 8 p.m. ET
Location: Arlington, Texas’ AT&T Stadium
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Must know: Ohio State vs. Missouri
Historical introduction: In program history, Devin Brown will be the first quarterback to start a bowl game in his debut. According to 247Sports, the sophomore was rated as a four-star talent and the No. 5 quarterback in the Class of 2022. During the season, he supported McCord in five games. In a Week 2 rout of Youngstown State, he ran six times and completed seven of thirteen passes, which was his most significant performance. This game might be seen in some ways as Brown’s audition as Ohio State coach Ryan Day assesses the quarterback situation going into the summer.
Young receivers have potential: Harrison had a quiet rookie season until having a big effort with three touchdown receptions in the Rose Bowl two seasons ago. It hinted at the significant events Harrison had ahead of him. Now, another young receiver may make an impact for the Buckeyes going into the 2024 campaign by using the bowl platform. Carnell Tate, who caught 17 receptions for 260 yards and one score during the regular season, is the front-runner. The former five-star prospect showed promise this season when given the chance, finishing as the third receiver in the 2023 recruiting class. Tate might utilize the Cotton Bowl to make his national debut since Harrison is not participating and No. 3 wide receiver Julian Fleming is available via the transfer portal.
The premier trio of Mizzou: This season, Missouri’s offense stabilized because to the outstanding combination of receiver Luther Burden, running back Cody Schrader, and quarterback Brady Cook. Cook, a junior who has developed into one of the SEC’s best quarterbacks, entered the game with a passing efficiency rating of 158.08, third-highest in school history. After running for 1,499 yards and 13 touchdowns during the regular season, Schrader was named a CBS Sports first-team All-American. Ultimately, Burden had a fantastic sophomore year, catching 1,197 yards and eight touchdowns to win a spot on CBS Sports’ second team All-American. It is anticipated that all three will take on the Buckeyes.
Cotton Bowl forecast and selections
odds by consensus from SportsLine
Brown is starting for the first time in his career after McCord left for Syracuse. There won’t be any easing into things for Brown, who has only played sporadically in his two seasons with the Buckeyes. Georgia and LSU are Missouri’s lone defeats as a formidable SEC opponent. In its first-ever New Year’s Six appearance, Mizzou will be eager to do well, and Ohio State could find it difficult to match that enthusiasm after missing the College Football Playoffs. Anticipate a stellar defensive performance from the Tigers, capping off a fantastic season for fourth-year coach Eli Drinkwitz.
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