Yahoo Sports Missouri vs. Ohio State: Predictions and odds for the Cotton Bowl
The peak of college football bowl season is here with the prestigious New Year's Six bowls just around the corner.
The first of the six to kick off this year is the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, which will see the Missouri Tigers (10-2) take on the Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1).
Missouri is looking for its first bowl win since a 2014 Citrus Bowl victory over Minnesota. The 2023 season was the Tigers' first 10-win season since that 2014 campaign. Missouri previously won the Cotton Bowl in 2007 and 2013.
Ohio State, meanwhile, was pushed out of College Football Playoff contention after a loss to Michigan in the regular season finale. The Buckeyes lost in last year's CFP Semifinal but won the 2022 Rose Bowl over Utah.
Notably, Ohio State will be without quarterback Kyle McCord, who announced his intention to transfer to Syracuse on Dec. 17.
Here's what you need to know about this year's Cotton Bowl.
College Football Playoff: Alabama going to great lengths to maintain secrecy ahead of Michigan matchup in Rose Bowl
Missouri vs. Ohio State predictions
The Athletic: Five of seven analysts predict a Buckeyes win
Dan Santaromita writes, "Mizzou’s offense has put up numbers, but so has Ohio State’s defense. The Buckeyes have allowed just 11 points per game, the second-lowest total in the nation."
College Football HQ (Sports Illustrated FanNation): Missouri 27, Ohio State 21
James Parks writes, "OSU's inability to create enough scoring drives over time, thanks to its personnel losses, will tilt the game in Mizzou's favor for good."
Winners and Whiners: Give Ohio State the points
Adam Rauzino writes, "[W]hile Missouri has a strong passing offense, the Buckeyes have a vaunted pass defense that is the best in the entire country. They are conceding an average of only 147.5 passing yards per game."
ESPN: Buckeyes have a strong chance to win Cotton Bowl
ESPN Analytics heavily favor Ohio State, giving it a 75.6% chance to win on Friday. The same model gives Missouri a 24.4% chance to take home the Cotton Bowl trophy for the first time since 2013.
College football bowl season: Are bowl games really worth the hassle anymore, especially as Playoff expansion looms?
Cotton Bowl game odds, spread and lines
Ohio State is favored to defeat Missouri according to the BetMGM college football odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering betting promos in 2023.
All odds as of Thursday evening.
Spread: Ohio State (-3.5)
Moneyline: Ohio State (-185); Missouri (+150)
Over/under: 49
How to watch Cotton Bowl: TV, streaming and schedule
When: Friday, Dec. 29, 8 p.m. ET
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Cable TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN+; YouTube TV; Sling; FuboTV
How to watch: Catch all college football bowl action with a Fubo subscription
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cotton Bowl: Predictions and latest odds for Missouri vs. Ohio State
