Despite making the College Football Playoff as an 11-1 team last year, that wasn’t on the table for the Ohio State Buckeyes this year. They’re now heading to the Cotton Bowl Classic to take on the Missouri Tigers but won’t exactly be playing with the same roster that helped them get there.
Between transfers and NFL Draft declarations, the Buckeyes are going to be missing a ton of players for the Cotton Bowl – including starting quarterback Kyle McCord. As a result, two of 247Sports’ analysts – Chris Hummer and Brad Crawford – are going to be taking Missouri to spring the upset.
For Hummer, the decision came down to picking the team that wants to win it more. He’s predicting a 34-31 win for the Tigers.
“I tend to lean toward the team that wants these games more, and that’s Missouri. A win in the Cotton Bowl caps off one of the best seasons in program history for the Tigers, and you can tell by their lack of opt outs/transfers. Ohio State? The Buckeyes have lost several contributors to the portal, including their starting QB. There’s also a question of whether many draft eligible players will step up. Yes, Ohio State is more talented. But give me the Tigers here. … Missouri 34, Ohio State 31,” Hummer wrote.
As for Crawford, he also believes that motivation is the main issue at play.
“I’m siding with the team I believe will be more motivated to win the Cotton Bowl and that’s the Tigers. Nothing against Ohio State, but recovering from the rivalry loss to Michigan and being in a bowl game that doesn’t mean a ton to the Buckeyes matters. On the flip side, an opportunity at win No. 11 this season to cap Eli Drinkwitz’s best campaign yet would be quite the momentum boost into the offseason for Missouri. Take the Tigers to cover here. … Missouri 31, Ohio State 28,” Crawford wrote.
Columbus took over the Cotton Bowl in 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣7️⃣, let’s make history repeat itself ‼️
Buckeye Nation secure your spot in Jerry’s World NOW to see the Scarlet & Gray in action one final time this season 😤
🎟: https://t.co/b1081A9lRm@OhioStateFB | #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/oHfivdn4iq
— Ohio State Buckeyes 🌰 (@OhioStAthletics) December 11, 2023
Will the Buckeyes be motivated enough to win the game, or will Missouri take advantage of Ohio State’s current state and spring the upset?