The Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, options the primary New Yr’s Six matchup of the postseason, with No. 7 Ohio State towards No. 9 Missouri. The Buckeyes lead the all-time collection 10-1-1, with the latest encounter happening in 1998. This time, they’re going to be up towards a Missouri squad that’s coming off its greatest common season since 2014. The Tigers ought to be fired up for his or her first participation in a New Yr’s Six contest.
Although the Buckeyes had been denied a place within the School Soccer Playoff on account of their regular-season finale defeat to rival Michigan, their efficiency within the Cotton Bowl stays a outstanding achievement. Ohio State is the one program to have competed in a New Yr’s Six bowl recreation in every of the primary ten seasons of the four-team School Soccer Playoff.
Nonetheless, Ohio State’s offense will likely be considerably altered as beginning quarterback Kyle McCord went to Syracuse on the finish of the common season. Marvin Harrison Jr., a Heisman Trophy finalist, won’t be accessible as a result of the junior is weighing NFL prospects. Chip Trayanum, the Buckeyes’ second-leading rusher, has additionally entered the portal and can play for Kentucky.
Nonethel
Younger receivers get an opportunity to shine: Harrison had a breakout efficiency within the Rose Bowl two years in the past, catching three landing passes after a quiet freshman season. It predicted the key issues to come back for Harrison. One other younger receiver would possibly now make the most of the bowl platform to make a reputation for himself for the Buckeyes heading into the 2024 season. Carnell Tate is the main prospect, having caught 17 receptions for 260 yards and one rating in the course of the common season. The previous five-star prospect was ranked third within the 2023 recruiting class and has proven promise when given alternatives this season. With No. 3 extensive receiver Julian Fleming within the switch portal and Harrison out, Tate would possibly make the most of the Cotton Bowl to make his nationwide debut.
Missouri’s offense regained its stride this season because of the excellent trio of quarterback Brady Prepare dinner, operating again Cody Schrader, and receiver Luther Burden. Prepare dinner’s passer effectivity of 158.08 entered the sport ranked third all-time in program historical past because the junior developed into one of many SEC’s premier quarterbacks. Schrader was named a CBS Sports activities first-team All-American after operating for 1,499 yards and 13 touchdowns in the course of the common season. Lastly, Burden had an important sophomore season with 1,197 yards receiving and eight touchdowns, garnering CBS Sports activities second-team All-American accolades. All three are slated to face the Buckeyes.
Cotton Bowl predictions and selections primarily based on SportsLine consensus
Brown is making his first profession begin after McCord left for Syracuse. Brown has seen restricted motion in his two seasons with the Buckeyes, and he won’t be eased into issues. Missouri is a formidable SEC opponent with solely two defeats to LSU and Georgia. Mizzou will likely be pushed to do nicely in its first-ever New Yr’s Six look, however Ohio State might battle to match that depth after lacking out on the School Soccer Playoff. ess, Ohio State is available in with lots of expertise, even when a part of it’s untested.
Observe together with LIVE UPDATES on Friday as Ohio State takes on Missouri within the 2023 Cotton Bowl.
Learn how to Stream the Cotton Bowl Stay
Friday, December 29 | 8:00 p.m. ET
AT&T Stadium is situated in Arlington, Texas.
ESPN | Fubo (free trial) | TV: ESPN
New clients might save $20 on Fubo’s Professional, Elite, and Premier plans for a restricted time.
What you should find out about Ohio State vs. Missouri.
Starting prior to now: Devin Brown would be the first quarterback in program historical past to make his bowl debut. In response to 247Sports, the sophomore is a four-star recruit and the No. 5 quarterback within the Class of 2022. This season, he participated in 5 video games as a backup to McCord. His most important efficiency got here in a Week 2 thrashing of Youngstown State, when he accomplished 7 of 13 passes and ran six occasions. In some methods, this recreation could be considered as an audition for Brown as Ohio State coach Ryan Day assesses the quarterback place’s future transferring into the summer season.