Missouri Tigers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes – The Cotton Bowl is set to showcase a tantalizing NCAAF showdown on Friday, featuring the Missouri Tigers with an impressive record against the formidable Ohio State Buckeyes. This clash of titans at the AT&T Stadium, aired on ESPN, is a highlight for fans and bettors alike, eagerly seeking the latest NCAAF bowl picks. The game not only represents a pinnacle of college football talent but also a strategic battle between two of the nation’s top teams.
Missouri Tigers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
Date & Time: Friday, December 29, at 8:00 PM ET
Location: AT&T Stadium
TV: ESPN
Missouri Tigers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Missouri | -115 | +1 (-110) | 49 over (-110) |
| Ohio State | -105 | -1 (-110) | 49 under (-110) |
Missouri Tigers Analysis
On offense, Missouri Tigers have demonstrated remarkable prowess this season, thanks to quarterback Brady Cook. Cook’s 3189 passing yards, 66% completion rate and 20 touchdowns demonstrate his effectiveness at leading Missouri’s offense effectively. Wide receiver Luther Burden III’s 1197 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns present an outstanding pass game threat; also notable are running back Cody Schrader’s 1489 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns as an important complement for Missouri’s dual threat offensive strategy; which will be crucial against Ohio State.
Defensively, the Tigers have enjoyed an admirable season but have demonstrated some vulnerabilities which Ohio State could exploit. While they’ve managed to keep scores down in many games – an indicator of solid defense – December games proved otherwise: with an 1-8 ATS record revealing issues about maintaining that rigidity against Ohio State’s potency on offense. For them to prevail against Ohio State, however, their defense must strengthen significantly against their powerful offensive arsenal.
Ohio State Buckeyes Analysis
Ohio State’s offense has been an impressive force this season, led by quarterback Kyle McCord. His impressive stats include 3170 passing yards and 24 touchdowns which display his efficiency and command over their offense. Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr has been instrumental in their passing game with 1211 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns to his credit; his ability to make big plays will prove crucial against Missouri’s defensive strategies. Lastly, their ground attack led by TreVeyon Henderson with 854 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns can provide an alternate strategy against Missouri defensive schemes.
Ohio State has demonstrated strong defensive performance, particularly in keeping scores down – evidenced by 7 of their last 9 games ending under. Missouri could potentially exploit Ohio State’s inconsistency against Southeastern conference opponents (2-7 SU), so Ohio State will need to develop effective strategies that limit big plays while applying pressure on Cook.
Missouri Tigers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Against the Spread
Missouri has been strong against the spread this season, covering in 5 of their last 6 contests. The Tigers have also gone over the betting total in 7 of their previous 10 outings. When playing Big Ten opponents, Missouri has performed exceptionally well too, going 10-3 straight up in their last 13 games. The trends indicate backing Missouri with the points is the wise move.
Ohio State has been less reliable ATS but boasts an impressive 11-1 record straight up this year. Notably, the total has gone under in 7 of the Buckeyes’ last 9 games. As favorites by less than 7 points, Ohio State is just 2-5 against the spread as well. Based on their performances against the numbers this season, taking Ohio State to cover the short spread seems risky.
Missouri Tigers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Free Pick
Based on odds, trends, team stats, and key players, here are the picks:
Moneyline: Missouri Tigers (-115). Missouri’s balanced offensive and defensive capabilities give them a slight edge in this matchup.
Spread: Missouri Tigers +1 (-110). Missouri’s overall performance and their ability to keep games close make them a good pick against the spread.
Total: Over 49 (-110). Given the offensive capabilities of both teams, a high-scoring game is likely.
Predicted Score: Missouri Tigers 27, Ohio State Buckeyes 24
In summary, this Cotton Bowl matchup presents an intriguing battle. While Ohio State has shown dominance, Missouri’s balanced approach and resilience make them a slightly more favorable pick, especially for live betting in Canada. This game is expected to be closely contested, with the potential for high scoring from both sides.
