Cotton Bowl: Missouri vs. Ohio State odds, picks and predictions
The Missouri Tigers (10-2) and Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1) meet in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Missouri vs. Ohio State odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
This is the 1st meeting between these teams in a bowl game, although they've met 12 previous times in the regular season. Ohio State owns a 10-1-1 all-time series lead, last playing Sept. 19, 1998, in Columbus. Mizzou's lone win vs. OSU was Sept. 25, 1976, at Ohio Stadium in a 22-21 victory.
Missouri finished the season with 3 consecutive wins, including a 36-7 thumping of Tennessee Nov. 11. It also covered 5 of the final 6 outings, and 8 of the final 10 contests. The Tigers offense rolled up 30 or more points in 10 of 12 games, and at least 21 points in every outings this season.
The Tigers rank 25th in the nation with 441.4 total yards, 30th with 272.3 passing yards and 27th with 34.1 points scored per game. Defensively, Mizzou was adequate, allowing just 347.0 total yards and 22.3 PPG.
Ohio State had the disappointing loss at Michigan Nov. 25, falling 30-24, but it still won 11 games, while cashing at a 5-2-1 ATS clip in the final 8 outings.
Mizzou doesn't have many notable injury, opt-out or transfer portal players, but that's not the case for Ohio State. QB Kyle McCord hit the portal, and is headed to Syracuse. With McCord out, QB Devin Brown is expected to start. RB Chip Trayanum, who scored the game-winning TD at Notre Dame, transferred to Kentucky. RB Miyan Williams has also opted out, although RB TreVeyon Henderson is still on track to play.
In addition, WRs Emeka Egbuka and Marvin Harrison Jr. were considered opt-out candidates, but so far neither player has elected to withdraw from the game. WR Julian Fleming is in the transfer portal, while TE Cade Stover has a knee injury, but he intends to play.
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Missouri vs. Ohio State odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 6:43 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Missouri +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Ohio State -185 (bet $185 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Missouri +3.5 (-110) | Ohio State -3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 49 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Missouri vs. Ohio State picks and predictions
Prediction
Ohio State 27, Missouri 25
Moneyline
Playing Ohio State (-185) is a little too expensive, costing you nearly 2 times your potential return.
There are just too many risks, as players could opt out at the last minute, or we could see a Malachi Corley situation. The Western Kentucky star wideout played, but checked himself out in the 1st half after a cameo. You just never know.
The Buckeyes could be explosive, if Harrison and Egbuka are in there for Brown, but things could grind to a halt if one or both sit, leaving Brown with inexperienced pass catchers instead.
PASS.
Against the spread
MISSOURI +3.5 (-110) is a strong play catching the 3 and a hook.
The Tigers have just as many explosive pieces on offense, with QB Brady Cook leading the way. He completed 66.7% of his passes for 3,174 yards, 20 TDs and 5 INTs, connecting with WR Luther Burden III for 82 catches, 1,190 yards and 8 TDs. RB Cody Schrader racked up 1,489 rushing yards and 13 TDs, averaging 6.0 yards per game on the ground, so the Ohio State -3.5 (-110) defense will need all hands on deck.
The Buckeyes are 1-11 all-time against SEC programs in bowl games, while vacating a 2nd win in the 2010 Sugar Bowl following NCAA allegations.
Over/Under
OVER 49 (-110) is the play, but again, this an if/but situation.
If Egbuka and Harrison suit up, and Henderson is in the lineup, too, then the Ohio State offense should generally look as it did during the regular season, which will be very good. If Harrison is out, that would be a giant loss for Ohio State, and the youngster Brown, who could use the future pro to help him out in his 1st start.
We should see get into the 50's, as this Mizzou offense is no joke, and is rather well-balanced, too.
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