Urban Meyer: Missouri is hungry ahead of bowl matchup vs. Ohio State

The Tigers are on the prowl, and Urban Meyer knows it. The former Ohio State head coach weighed in on Missouri’s desire to take down the Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 29.

“They are hungry,” Meyer said. “Missouri doesn’t get the limelight that the Ohio State players get. The media attention that this coaching staff [gets], deservedly so what they did this year, kind of came out of nowhere.”

Missouri isn’t used to playing this time of the year, but it certainly has earned its spot. The Tigers finished the regular season with a  10-2 record, including three ranked wins. It’s the first time Missouri has finished the regular season with 10 or more wins since 2014.

Missouri’s success is largely thanks to their standout skill players, highlighted by running back Cody Schrader. The 5-foot-9 graduate student finished the regular season with 1,499 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Schrader’s 124.9 rushing yards per game are the most in the country this year.

This one means more for Missouri

Nonetheless, Missouri is far more than one talented player. If Ohio State isn’t careful, it’ll learn this reality the hard way.

“This is a really good team,” Meyer said of Missouri. “They do things offensively and defensively that are a pain in the ass for the opponent. They’re really good team, and this is their chance to [say] we beat the Buckeyes. The Buckeyes better be ready.

“This is SEC against the Big Ten. I know Ohio State was 37 yards away from going to the Rose Bowl. But, somehow, they got to cleanse themselves of that and move on.”

Ohio State’s history against the Tigers won’t help provide humility. Ohio State and Missouri have met 12 times before. The Buckeyes boast a dominant 10-1-1 record over the Tigers. OSU won the last matchup between the two teams 35-14 in 1998.

Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz isn’t scared to make history.

“It’s going to be a really tall challenge,” Drinkwitz said. “Very good football team. Coach Day does an excellent job. So, that’s going to be a great challenge. I know our team was excited. The quality of opponent you get is always a lot of fun. Obviously, they’ve got some really good players. So, that will bring our attention to focus pretty quickly.”

The Tigers time to prepare is slipping away. The two teams will go head-to-head at 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 29. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.