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Ohio State

Buckeyes open as single-digit favorite over Missouri in Cotton Bowl

Spencer-Holbrookby: Spencer Holbrook12/03/23SpencerHolbrook
Cade Stover by Matt Parker -- Lettermen Row --
(Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)

COLUMBUS — This isn’t where Ohio State expected to be or wanted to be. But now that it’s official that the Buckeyes aren’t in the College Football Playoff, there’s certainly plenty of intrigue heading into the Cotton Bowl.

Yes, the Buckeyes are heading back to AT&T Stadium for the first time since they beat USC in the 2017 Cotton Bowl. This time, however, they’ll face Missouri, which ended the regular season with an improbable 10-2 record in the SEC.

As good as Missouri has been all year, and as much as the Buckeyes don’t want to be at the Cotton Bowl, Ohio State opened bowl season as a 6.5-point favorite over the Tigers, according to Fanduel Sportsbook. The total for the matchup is set at 51.5.

Of course, the question of motivation for Ohio State will be a factor. The Buckeyes came up short against Michigan and were left out of the CFP, meaning they can’t compete for the title they want.

But head coach Ryan Day believes his players will be ready to play Missouri in a few weeks. He just has to figure out who is playing and who will be opting out first.

“Our guys are excited to play in the game,” Day said. “They will be. We’ll talk through all that and continue to meet with guys along the way. We already had meetings last week. All really positive. Guys know that they want to have something to show for the season, but also have an opportunity, an opportunity to continue to put good games out there. And so those conversations will continue to be had today and tomorrow.”

No matter the opt outs, Ohio State is a favorite over Missouri to open bowl prep. And what a month of bowl prep it will be.

  • The Buckeyes are 7-4-1 against the spread this season. The Buckeyes failed to cover a 3.5-point spread in their loss to Michigan.
  • Ohio State is 0-1 against teams from the SEC under Ryan Day
  • The Buckeyes have went over the total just three times in their 12 games this season
  • Ohio State is 2-3 in bowl games under Ryan Day. All three losses have come in the College Football Playoff
  • Missouri is 8-4 against the spread this year
  • Games involving Missouri has gone over the projected total in eight of the Tigers’ 12 games this season