- Bowl: Goodyear Cotton Bowl
- Who: Ohio State Buckeyes vs Missouri Tigers
- When: Friday, December 29th, 8:00 ET
- Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Can the formidable Ohio State team rebound from a disappointing end to the 2023 season?
Despite missing out on a College Football Playoff berth, the No. 7 Buckeyes are set to compete in the Cotton Bowl Classic against No. 9 Missouri.
There will be no shortage of Online college football betting as the college football season enters its bowl season, and every game becomes a high-stakes chess match.
The Cotton Bowl, part of the prestigious New Year's Six bowls, is scheduled for a Dec. 29 kickoff at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Game Preview (Spread)
Significant shifts in NCAAF odds have occurred since the lines opened. Initially a 6.5-point favorite, Ohio State is now a 2.5-point underdog, reflecting critical absences on the Buckeyes' roster.
The Buckeyes are also priced at +120 on the moneyline. In contrast, Missouri holds a -2.5 point spread and -140 to win outright. The projected total has decreased from 51.5 to 49.
The Cotton Bowl is one of college football's iconic postseason events, with a history in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex since 1937.
The venue shifted to AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, in 2010. Tulane secured a 48-45 victory over USC in the previous Cotton Bowl.
Join us as we delve into a breakdown of both college football teams and analyze the Cotton Bowl point spread.
Missouri had a standout season, securing 10 college football victories and earning a New Year's Six bowl spot.
The Tigers (10-2, 6-2 SEC) notched impressive wins against teams like Kansas State, Kentucky, and Tennessee, finishing second in the SEC West.
Their only conference losses came against LSU and Georgia.
Under Eli Drinkwitz's leadership, this marks the Tigers' third consecutive college bowl appearance in four seasons and their first double-digit win season since 2014.
Our leader & @sec Coach of the Year @CoachDrinkwitz 🫡
10-2 Regular Season Record.
#9 @CFBPlayoff Ranking.@CottonBowlGame Invite.@SEC Coach of the Year.#MIZ pic.twitter.com/JxzHerDn14— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) December 6, 2023
In the previous season, they finished 6-7 and suffered a 27-17 loss to Wake Forest in the Gasparilla Bowl.
Missouri proved to be a profitable team for NCAAF bettors, boasting an 8-4 record ATS. As the season progressed, they covered the spread in five of their last six games.
The Tigers held a 4-3 ATS record as favorites and an impressive 7-0 OU record. Additionally, they exceeded the projected total in eight of their 12 games.
Led by quarterback Brady Cook, Missouri showcased offensive proficiency, ranking 25th in both yards per game (442.9) and scoring (34.1 PPG).
Achieving their highest AP poll ranking since 2013 (No. 5), the Tigers secured a spot in the Cotton Bowl, where they emerged victorious against Oklahoma State with a score of 41-31.
Missouri anticipates having key players available, including Cook and running back Cody Schrader, who rushed for 1,625 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning the Burlsworth Trophy for the nation's best player who began his Division I career as a walk-on.
Conversely, the Ohio State Buckeyes posted an impressive 11-1 record, with a notable victory over Notre Dame and finishing 8-1 in Big Ten Conference play.
However, their lone loss to Michigan in the regular-season finale dashed their hopes of competing for a Big Ten title and the national championship.
Check our Cotton Bowl page that includes everything you need to know about wagering on this prestigious bowl game.
Total Points
Ohio State had a solid performance for bettors, going 7-4-1 ATS, including a 6-2 record in their last eight games.
Despite not exceeding the projected total in most games, allowing only 132 points on the 2023 NCAAF schedule, the second-fewest in the country behind Michigan (123), is a noteworthy factor to consider when evaluating the Cotton Bowl point spread.
Star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. remains uncertain about participating in the upcoming bowl game.
Despite being named a Heisman Trophy finalist and delivering an impressive performance with 67 receptions for 1,237 yards and 14 touchdowns, Harrison Jr., the son of NFL Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, is still weighing his decision.
Maserati Marv 🏆🌰@OhioStateFB's Marvin Harrison Jr wins the Fred Biletnikoff Award 👏 pic.twitter.com/DNcEenqFjd
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 9, 2023
Adding to Ohio State's challenges, quarterback Kyle McCord, who threw for 3,170 yards and 24 touchdowns, has confirmed his plans to transfer.
In his absence, sophomore Devin Brown is a potential starter.
With three weeks until kickoff, more opt-outs from Ohio State players wouldn't be surprising.
The absence of key starters is reflected in the Cotton Bowl point spread, as the Buckeyes, favored in every game except against Michigan, face significant roster challenges.
Despite finishing among the top 35 in scoring with an average of 32.8 points per game, Ohio State's offense, without McCord and possibly Harrison Jr., is expected to face notable limitations.
This situation presents a favorable opportunity for Missouri's defense.
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