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LGHL MC&J: Picks for Missouri-Ohio State and the rest of the New Year’s Six bowls
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MC&J: Picks for Missouri-Ohio State and the rest of the New Year’s Six bowls
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images
The heavy hitters of bowl season kick off tonight in Dallas and run through Monday.
Saturday 12/30 12:00 p.m. ET - ESPN
This game is really interesting since all four of the losses these two teams combined for came against Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio State. After Ole Miss lost to the Bulldogs and Penn State fell to Michigan on Nov. 11, the two teams combined to allow just 16 points over the last two weeks of the regular season. Granted the competition they played wasn’t great, they still rebounded from tough losses.
Both teams weren’t hit hard with losses in the transfer portal, but Penn State did lose defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, who took the head coaching job at Duke. If the Nittany Lions want to win this game they’ll have to do so with their defense since they can’t match the offensive firepower Ole Miss will throw at them with quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Quinshon Judkins.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25191648/1751918778.jpg "Ole Miss v Auburn")
Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar only threw one pick this year. The problem with Allar is the Nittany Lion offense turtled in the biggest games of the season. Penn State doesn’t have some of the dynamic wide receivers they had in the past, which could cause a problem against an explosive Rebel offense. Ole Miss is able to find some cracks in the Penn State defense and takes home the win in Atlanta.
Ole Miss 30, Penn State 23
Saturday 12/30 2:00 p.m. ET - ABC
The intrigue for this game took a bit of a hit when Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa announced he was opting out to enter the transfer portal. Starting for the Terrapins will be Billy Edwards Jr., who has seen some time over the last couple years when Tagovailoa has been injured. Edwards has something to prove in this game, as he’ll be stating his case to be the starter next year for Maryland.
Hugh Freeze’s first year at Auburn wasn’t pretty. Not only did the Tigers lose to New Mexico State at home, Auburn allowed Alabama to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat late in the Iron Bowl. I know the Terrapins won’t have Tagovailoa, but it’s not like Edwards is totally green. I feel a lot better getting nearly a touchdown with Maryland than laying it with Auburn’s terrible quarterback Payton Thorne.
Maryland 27, Auburn 21
Saturday 12/30 4:00 p.m. ET - ESPN
After both these teams failed to make the College Football Playoff, you would figure it would be Georgia that would care less about this bowl. Florida State has had backup quarterback Tate Rodemaker enter the transfer portal, leaving third-string QB Brock Glenn to take the snaps against the Bulldogs. Along with Rodemaker leaving, the top four receivers and top three rushers won’t play in this game. The defense of the Seminoles has also been rocked by defections.
Even though the spread feels high at first glance, it’s hard to imagine the backups of the backups for Florida State staying anywhere close to Georgia’s starters. After the Bulldogs saw their lengthy winning streak snapped by Alabama in the SEC Championship Game, Georgia will look to finish their season on a high note as they take their frustrations out on Florida State.
Georgia 38, Florida State 10
Saturday 12/30 4:30 p.m. ET - CW
Since I want to give Barstool as little attention as possible, I’m going to keep this very brief. I’ll ride with Wyoming since they’ll be playing for head coach Craig Bohl, who is retiring after this game. Toledo quarterback Dequan Finn has already transferred to Baylor, so the Rockets could have trouble moving the ball against a very tough Wyoming defense.
Wyoming 24, Toledo 17
Monday 1/1 12:00 p.m. ET - ESPN2
The biggest win for Luke Fickell and Wisconsin this year might be not having to face LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels in this game. Daniels won the Heisman Trophy and has announced he will forego this game to prepare for the NFL Draft. Monday is still going to be tough for the Badgers, since it sounds like the other key players for the Tigers will be playing.
Wisconsin will be without running back Braelon Allen, which is a big problem for the Badgers. Tanner Mordecai has been bad and injured after transferring from SMU. Running back Chez Mellusi was injured earlier in the season. The Wisconsin defense hasn’t been as dominant as we have become used to in past year. All this sounds like a recipe for a double-digit loss to LSU.
LSU 35, Wisconsin 20
Monday 1/1 1:00 p.m. ET - ESPN
After 12 years playing college football, this will be Oregon quarterback Bo Nix’s final collegiate game. Despite the Ducks failing to make the College Football Playoff, Nix won’t opt out of this game to prepare for the NFL Draft.
Nix tossed 40 touchdowns and threw for over 4,000 yards this year. Nix isn’t the only weapon for the Ducks. Bucky Irving ran for over 1,000 yards and scored 10 rushing touchdowns, while Troy Franklin was one of the best receivers in the country.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25191656/1833766970.jpg "2023 Pac-12 Championship - Oregon v Washington")
Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images
Liberty had a dream season in head coach Jamey Chadwell’s first season at the school, going undefeated and winning Conference USA by beating New Mexico State in the title game. The issue for Liberty here is they didn’t play anyone nearly as fast and physical as Oregon. Quinton Cooley is going to have trouble finding running room and quarterback Kaidon Salter is going to be under constant pressure.
As fun as it is to imagine David beating Goliath, the Ducks are pissed off after seeing their CFP hopes dashed by two losses by three points to Washington. Dan Lanning will have his team ready to go as they send Nix off with a comfortable win.
Oregon 45, Liberty 21
Monday 1/1 1:00 p.m. ET - ABC
Earlier this week Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton announced he wouldn’t play in this game, deciding to prepare for the NFL Draft. You can tell Milton is familiar with Big Ten teams after his time with Michigan since he wants no part of the nasty Iowa defense. Instead, Nico Iamaleava will start for the Vols. After a few series the backup quarterback might really want to leave the game.
Saying Iowa’s offense isn’t fun to watch is an understatement. The Hawkeyes somehow still won 10 games, which should tell you how good the rest of the team is. I’ll gladly take nearly a touchdown in a game that should be a tight, low-scoring affair.
Iowa 17, Tennessee 13
Monday 1/1 5:00 p.m. ET - ESPN
Michigan must be working with voodoo magic. The Wolverines saw head coach Jim Harbaugh suspended twice this year and still went undefeated. Michigan played a cake non-conference schedule, barely had to throw it against Penn State, and benefitted by Ryan Day pooping his pants in The Game for the third straight year. Harbaugh will be looking for his first CFP win in his third straight appearance in the playoff. Win or lose, Harbaugh could be headed to the NFL after the season is over.
Alabama looked dead early in the season after losing at home to Texas. With a win the Crimson Tide could have a chance to avenge the loss if the Longhorns get by Washington. Quarterback Jalen Milroe was one of the most improved players in the country from the start of the season. From being benched for the South Florida game to being two wins away from a title is a wild story.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25191657/1829314822.jpg "2023 SEC Championship - Georgia v Alabama")
Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
Everybody aside from Michigan fans think Alabama is going to win this game. I’m obviously not a Michigan fan, so you can tell who I’ll be taking in this one. I think the Crimson Tide defense is going to make life miserable for J.J. McCarthy and Blake Corum on Monday in Pasadena. Harbaugh makes it a three-peat of CFP semifinal losses as Nick Saban again proves why he is the GOAT.
Alabama 34, Michigan 24
Monday 1/1 8:45 p.m. ET - ESPN
Washington essentially played Pacific Northwest Tresselball this season, winning a ton of close games. The Huskies have a tremendous quarterback in Michael Penix Jr. and a group of extremely talented wide receivers, headlined by Rome Odunze. As the year went on, Washington showed they could also run the football with Dillon Johnson, who has rushed for 1,113 yards and 14 touchdowns.
It would have been so fun to see Texas play this game with Jonathon Brooks on the field, but Brooks was injured late in the season. The Longhorns still have quarterback Quinn Ewers, who slowed the roll of the Arch Manning train a bit this year with some great play. Just look at the Big 12 Championship Game against Oklahoma State where Ewers had like a billion yards passing at halftime.
This is a rematch of last year’s Alamo Bowl that Washington won 27-20. I think the Huskies nip the Longhorns again. If anything, this game comes down to the wire, so I’ll happily take a few points. Penix and the Washington receivers will cause trouble for the Texas defense. Don’t get me wrong, Ewers will make some plays, Washington is just a little better on both sides of the football.
Washington 38, Texas 34
Friday 12/29 8:00 p.m. ET - ESPN
In the couple weeks after Ohio State’s 30-24 loss to Michigan, things weren’t looking go ahead of this game. Quarterback Kyle McCord transferred to Syracuse and it felt like anyone important for the Buckeyes had no reason to play here. While Marvin Harrison Jr. shouldn’t suit up, at least TreVeyon Henderson, Emeka Egbuka, Jack Sawyer, and a number of other defensive players will be on the field. Plus, I’m excited to see what Devin Brown brings to the table at quarterback.
Ohio State is going to need as many defensive starters on the field as possible since Missouri’s offense is no joke. Running back Cody Schrader was a Doak Walker finalist, Luther Burden should contend for the Biletnikoff Award next year, and quarterback Brady Cook totaled 28 touchdowns this year. The Tigers finished the regular season at 10-2 only losing to LSU and Georgia this year.
Maybe Ryan Day treats this game like the Georgia game last year, going all out. What is there to lose? Have some fun with Brown and the playbook, using all the weapons that will be at his disposal to build some hype for next year. Maybe Carnell Tate breaks out like Marvin Harrison Jr. did a couple years ago in the Rose Bowl.
Even though Missouri’s offensive weapons do worry me, Jim Knowles with almost a month to prep for this game should help slow down Schrader, Burden, and Cook. The Buckeyes did a great job at not giving up the big play this year, especially in the passing game. Take away Burden and focus on not letting Schrader get his. The Buckeyes are used to the spotlight, while it might be just a bit too bright for the Tigers.
Ohio State 31, Missouri 24
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Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images
The heavy hitters of bowl season kick off tonight in Dallas and run through Monday.
Bowls ATS: 13-12-1 (12-10-1 National, 1-2 B1G - with a number of other games pending)
Season ATS: 126-113-2 (66-70-2 National, 60-43 B1G)
Peach Bowl: No. 11 Ole Miss v. No. 10 Penn State (-4.5)
Saturday 12/30 12:00 p.m. ET - ESPN
This game is really interesting since all four of the losses these two teams combined for came against Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio State. After Ole Miss lost to the Bulldogs and Penn State fell to Michigan on Nov. 11, the two teams combined to allow just 16 points over the last two weeks of the regular season. Granted the competition they played wasn’t great, they still rebounded from tough losses.
Both teams weren’t hit hard with losses in the transfer portal, but Penn State did lose defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, who took the head coaching job at Duke. If the Nittany Lions want to win this game they’ll have to do so with their defense since they can’t match the offensive firepower Ole Miss will throw at them with quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Quinshon Judkins.
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar only threw one pick this year. The problem with Allar is the Nittany Lion offense turtled in the biggest games of the season. Penn State doesn’t have some of the dynamic wide receivers they had in the past, which could cause a problem against an explosive Rebel offense. Ole Miss is able to find some cracks in the Penn State defense and takes home the win in Atlanta.
Ole Miss 30, Penn State 23
Music City Bowl: Auburn (-6.5) v. Maryland
Saturday 12/30 2:00 p.m. ET - ABC
The intrigue for this game took a bit of a hit when Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa announced he was opting out to enter the transfer portal. Starting for the Terrapins will be Billy Edwards Jr., who has seen some time over the last couple years when Tagovailoa has been injured. Edwards has something to prove in this game, as he’ll be stating his case to be the starter next year for Maryland.
Hugh Freeze’s first year at Auburn wasn’t pretty. Not only did the Tigers lose to New Mexico State at home, Auburn allowed Alabama to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat late in the Iron Bowl. I know the Terrapins won’t have Tagovailoa, but it’s not like Edwards is totally green. I feel a lot better getting nearly a touchdown with Maryland than laying it with Auburn’s terrible quarterback Payton Thorne.
Maryland 27, Auburn 21
Orange Bowl: No. 6 Georgia (-19.5) v. No. 5 Florida State
Saturday 12/30 4:00 p.m. ET - ESPN
After both these teams failed to make the College Football Playoff, you would figure it would be Georgia that would care less about this bowl. Florida State has had backup quarterback Tate Rodemaker enter the transfer portal, leaving third-string QB Brock Glenn to take the snaps against the Bulldogs. Along with Rodemaker leaving, the top four receivers and top three rushers won’t play in this game. The defense of the Seminoles has also been rocked by defections.
Even though the spread feels high at first glance, it’s hard to imagine the backups of the backups for Florida State staying anywhere close to Georgia’s starters. After the Bulldogs saw their lengthy winning streak snapped by Alabama in the SEC Championship Game, Georgia will look to finish their season on a high note as they take their frustrations out on Florida State.
Georgia 38, Florida State 10
Arizona Bowl: Toledo (-3.5) v. Wyoming
Saturday 12/30 4:30 p.m. ET - CW
Since I want to give Barstool as little attention as possible, I’m going to keep this very brief. I’ll ride with Wyoming since they’ll be playing for head coach Craig Bohl, who is retiring after this game. Toledo quarterback Dequan Finn has already transferred to Baylor, so the Rockets could have trouble moving the ball against a very tough Wyoming defense.
Wyoming 24, Toledo 17
ReliaQuest Bowl: Wisconsin v. No. 13 LSU (-9.5)
Monday 1/1 12:00 p.m. ET - ESPN2
The biggest win for Luke Fickell and Wisconsin this year might be not having to face LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels in this game. Daniels won the Heisman Trophy and has announced he will forego this game to prepare for the NFL Draft. Monday is still going to be tough for the Badgers, since it sounds like the other key players for the Tigers will be playing.
Wisconsin will be without running back Braelon Allen, which is a big problem for the Badgers. Tanner Mordecai has been bad and injured after transferring from SMU. Running back Chez Mellusi was injured earlier in the season. The Wisconsin defense hasn’t been as dominant as we have become used to in past year. All this sounds like a recipe for a double-digit loss to LSU.
LSU 35, Wisconsin 20
Fiesta Bowl: No. 23 Liberty v. No. 8 Oregon (-16.5)
Monday 1/1 1:00 p.m. ET - ESPN
After 12 years playing college football, this will be Oregon quarterback Bo Nix’s final collegiate game. Despite the Ducks failing to make the College Football Playoff, Nix won’t opt out of this game to prepare for the NFL Draft.
Nix tossed 40 touchdowns and threw for over 4,000 yards this year. Nix isn’t the only weapon for the Ducks. Bucky Irving ran for over 1,000 yards and scored 10 rushing touchdowns, while Troy Franklin was one of the best receivers in the country.
Liberty had a dream season in head coach Jamey Chadwell’s first season at the school, going undefeated and winning Conference USA by beating New Mexico State in the title game. The issue for Liberty here is they didn’t play anyone nearly as fast and physical as Oregon. Quinton Cooley is going to have trouble finding running room and quarterback Kaidon Salter is going to be under constant pressure.
As fun as it is to imagine David beating Goliath, the Ducks are pissed off after seeing their CFP hopes dashed by two losses by three points to Washington. Dan Lanning will have his team ready to go as they send Nix off with a comfortable win.
Oregon 45, Liberty 21
Citrus Bowl: No. 17 Iowa v. No. 21 Tennessee (-6.5)
Monday 1/1 1:00 p.m. ET - ABC
Earlier this week Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton announced he wouldn’t play in this game, deciding to prepare for the NFL Draft. You can tell Milton is familiar with Big Ten teams after his time with Michigan since he wants no part of the nasty Iowa defense. Instead, Nico Iamaleava will start for the Vols. After a few series the backup quarterback might really want to leave the game.
Saying Iowa’s offense isn’t fun to watch is an understatement. The Hawkeyes somehow still won 10 games, which should tell you how good the rest of the team is. I’ll gladly take nearly a touchdown in a game that should be a tight, low-scoring affair.
Iowa 17, Tennessee 13
Rose Bowl: No. 4 Alabama v. No. 1 Michigan (-1.5)
Monday 1/1 5:00 p.m. ET - ESPN
Michigan must be working with voodoo magic. The Wolverines saw head coach Jim Harbaugh suspended twice this year and still went undefeated. Michigan played a cake non-conference schedule, barely had to throw it against Penn State, and benefitted by Ryan Day pooping his pants in The Game for the third straight year. Harbaugh will be looking for his first CFP win in his third straight appearance in the playoff. Win or lose, Harbaugh could be headed to the NFL after the season is over.
Alabama looked dead early in the season after losing at home to Texas. With a win the Crimson Tide could have a chance to avenge the loss if the Longhorns get by Washington. Quarterback Jalen Milroe was one of the most improved players in the country from the start of the season. From being benched for the South Florida game to being two wins away from a title is a wild story.
Everybody aside from Michigan fans think Alabama is going to win this game. I’m obviously not a Michigan fan, so you can tell who I’ll be taking in this one. I think the Crimson Tide defense is going to make life miserable for J.J. McCarthy and Blake Corum on Monday in Pasadena. Harbaugh makes it a three-peat of CFP semifinal losses as Nick Saban again proves why he is the GOAT.
Alabama 34, Michigan 24
Sugar Bowl: No. 3 Texas (-4.5) v. No. 2 Washington
Monday 1/1 8:45 p.m. ET - ESPN
Washington essentially played Pacific Northwest Tresselball this season, winning a ton of close games. The Huskies have a tremendous quarterback in Michael Penix Jr. and a group of extremely talented wide receivers, headlined by Rome Odunze. As the year went on, Washington showed they could also run the football with Dillon Johnson, who has rushed for 1,113 yards and 14 touchdowns.
It would have been so fun to see Texas play this game with Jonathon Brooks on the field, but Brooks was injured late in the season. The Longhorns still have quarterback Quinn Ewers, who slowed the roll of the Arch Manning train a bit this year with some great play. Just look at the Big 12 Championship Game against Oklahoma State where Ewers had like a billion yards passing at halftime.
This is a rematch of last year’s Alamo Bowl that Washington won 27-20. I think the Huskies nip the Longhorns again. If anything, this game comes down to the wire, so I’ll happily take a few points. Penix and the Washington receivers will cause trouble for the Texas defense. Don’t get me wrong, Ewers will make some plays, Washington is just a little better on both sides of the football.
Washington 38, Texas 34
Cotton Bowl: No. 9 Missouri v. No. 7 Ohio State (-3.5)
Friday 12/29 8:00 p.m. ET - ESPN
In the couple weeks after Ohio State’s 30-24 loss to Michigan, things weren’t looking go ahead of this game. Quarterback Kyle McCord transferred to Syracuse and it felt like anyone important for the Buckeyes had no reason to play here. While Marvin Harrison Jr. shouldn’t suit up, at least TreVeyon Henderson, Emeka Egbuka, Jack Sawyer, and a number of other defensive players will be on the field. Plus, I’m excited to see what Devin Brown brings to the table at quarterback.
Ohio State is going to need as many defensive starters on the field as possible since Missouri’s offense is no joke. Running back Cody Schrader was a Doak Walker finalist, Luther Burden should contend for the Biletnikoff Award next year, and quarterback Brady Cook totaled 28 touchdowns this year. The Tigers finished the regular season at 10-2 only losing to LSU and Georgia this year.
Maybe Ryan Day treats this game like the Georgia game last year, going all out. What is there to lose? Have some fun with Brown and the playbook, using all the weapons that will be at his disposal to build some hype for next year. Maybe Carnell Tate breaks out like Marvin Harrison Jr. did a couple years ago in the Rose Bowl.
Even though Missouri’s offensive weapons do worry me, Jim Knowles with almost a month to prep for this game should help slow down Schrader, Burden, and Cook. The Buckeyes did a great job at not giving up the big play this year, especially in the passing game. Take away Burden and focus on not letting Schrader get his. The Buckeyes are used to the spotlight, while it might be just a bit too bright for the Tigers.
Ohio State 31, Missouri 24
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LGHL Is Ohio State essentially running next year’s team out against Missouri in the Cotton Bowl?
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Is Ohio State essentially running next year’s team out against Missouri in the Cotton Bowl?
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
We are comparing the Cotton Bowl depth chart with what the team could look like in 2024.
The last month has been an interesting one for the No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes. Following a third-straight loss to Michigan, the Scarlet and Gray saw a mass exodus of mostly backup players as they headed for the transfer portal. Conversely, Ryan Day and his staff did seemingly little to bolster the lineup via the first transfer window, while the Early Signing Period brought a rollercoaster of emotions that ultimately ended on a high note for OSU.
While fans were concerned and frustrated by the Buckeyes' apparently passive approach to bringing in transfer players, it slowly started to make sense as we saw next to no NFL declarations as days turned into weeks and tonight’s Cotton Bowl approached.
At this point, we are nearly certain that Marvin Harrison Jr. has played his final game as a Buckeye, and we know that Miyan Williams (who had season-ending surgery in October) has declared for the NFL Draft. We also know that Tommy Eichenberg (who may or may not play against the Missouri Tigers tonight) is set to participate in the Senior Bowl, meaning his collegiate career is over.
Otherwise, everyone else seems to at least be considering a return to Columbus, while some like Cody Simon have declared that they will be back and others — like Jack Sawyer — have strongly hinted as such. So, that makes tonight’s game far more interesting than I ever imagined it would be when the bowl pairings were initially released.
Instead of a skeleton crew hobbled by transfers and NFL departures, the Buckeyes instead, could essentially be running out the 2024 version of the team for an exhibition game against a top-10 SEC squad. While Devin Brown will be making his first career start, and that is always a bit perilous for a quarterback, especially against a quality opponent, having this much talent play in a non-playoff bowl game during this era of college football is practically unheard of (check out the rosters for Georgia and Florida State in the Orange Bowl).
So, in my new-found giddiness for next season, I decided to put what could be next year’s starting lineup on paper and compare it to who we believe will be lining up in the Cotton Bowl in order to see just what type of preview we will be getting for next year’s version of OSU.
Now, players have until Jan. 15, 2024 to declare for the NFL Draft, so while the buzz has been that most of them will be returning, anything can happen in the two-plus weeks until the deadline, and, I’m probably a wee bit overly optimistic in terms of who will return, but vibes are vibes, and everything seems to be pointing towards a return for these players right now.
And of course, if TreVeyon Henderson goes for 275 and three touchdowns against Mizzou tonight, he could decide it’s time to head to the league. Or if J.T. Tuimoloau goes into game-wrecker mode and has four sacks, two forced fumbles, and a pick-six, it would probably behoove him to get while the getting’s good. But, for now, the Magic 8 Ball is saying “Signs point to yes” about this difference-making Buckeyes being back.
There is also the question of what Day does in the portal, especially after the next wave of portal windows open following each individual bowl game. We know that Ohio State is pursuing players like former USC linebacker Tackett Curtis, so there almost certainly will be roster additions, but — with all due respect to those players — if OSU gets all of these guys back, I’m not sure that there are many guys in the portal who would supplant the returners as starters.
The one major question that I will be curious to have answered in Arlington tonight is how Devin Brown looks. Day was not aggressive in the first transfer portal window, meaning that he has to have at least some confidence in the sophomore’s ability to lead the team next season. Now, in fairness, I’m not sure that many of the guys who entered the portal would have been significant upgrades in OSU’s offense, so Day’s decision to remain quiet might have had more to do with available talent rather than the talent he already has.
But, if Brown goes out and looks good to great tonight, then I think we can all be optimistic that his progress will continue through the offseason. But, if he looks ill-equipped to play against a competent defense like Missouri’s, then maybe we see if former Kansas State QB Will Howard following a bunch of Buckeyes on social media means anything.
So, without all of those caveats out of the way, here is a way-too-early, overly-optimistic attempt to compare tonight’s lineup in the Cotton Bowl with who will be Ohio State’s starters when they open the 2024 season in September.
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
We are comparing the Cotton Bowl depth chart with what the team could look like in 2024.
The last month has been an interesting one for the No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes. Following a third-straight loss to Michigan, the Scarlet and Gray saw a mass exodus of mostly backup players as they headed for the transfer portal. Conversely, Ryan Day and his staff did seemingly little to bolster the lineup via the first transfer window, while the Early Signing Period brought a rollercoaster of emotions that ultimately ended on a high note for OSU.
While fans were concerned and frustrated by the Buckeyes' apparently passive approach to bringing in transfer players, it slowly started to make sense as we saw next to no NFL declarations as days turned into weeks and tonight’s Cotton Bowl approached.
At this point, we are nearly certain that Marvin Harrison Jr. has played his final game as a Buckeye, and we know that Miyan Williams (who had season-ending surgery in October) has declared for the NFL Draft. We also know that Tommy Eichenberg (who may or may not play against the Missouri Tigers tonight) is set to participate in the Senior Bowl, meaning his collegiate career is over.
Otherwise, everyone else seems to at least be considering a return to Columbus, while some like Cody Simon have declared that they will be back and others — like Jack Sawyer — have strongly hinted as such. So, that makes tonight’s game far more interesting than I ever imagined it would be when the bowl pairings were initially released.
Instead of a skeleton crew hobbled by transfers and NFL departures, the Buckeyes instead, could essentially be running out the 2024 version of the team for an exhibition game against a top-10 SEC squad. While Devin Brown will be making his first career start, and that is always a bit perilous for a quarterback, especially against a quality opponent, having this much talent play in a non-playoff bowl game during this era of college football is practically unheard of (check out the rosters for Georgia and Florida State in the Orange Bowl).
So, in my new-found giddiness for next season, I decided to put what could be next year’s starting lineup on paper and compare it to who we believe will be lining up in the Cotton Bowl in order to see just what type of preview we will be getting for next year’s version of OSU.
Now, players have until Jan. 15, 2024 to declare for the NFL Draft, so while the buzz has been that most of them will be returning, anything can happen in the two-plus weeks until the deadline, and, I’m probably a wee bit overly optimistic in terms of who will return, but vibes are vibes, and everything seems to be pointing towards a return for these players right now.
And of course, if TreVeyon Henderson goes for 275 and three touchdowns against Mizzou tonight, he could decide it’s time to head to the league. Or if J.T. Tuimoloau goes into game-wrecker mode and has four sacks, two forced fumbles, and a pick-six, it would probably behoove him to get while the getting’s good. But, for now, the Magic 8 Ball is saying “Signs point to yes” about this difference-making Buckeyes being back.
There is also the question of what Day does in the portal, especially after the next wave of portal windows open following each individual bowl game. We know that Ohio State is pursuing players like former USC linebacker Tackett Curtis, so there almost certainly will be roster additions, but — with all due respect to those players — if OSU gets all of these guys back, I’m not sure that there are many guys in the portal who would supplant the returners as starters.
The one major question that I will be curious to have answered in Arlington tonight is how Devin Brown looks. Day was not aggressive in the first transfer portal window, meaning that he has to have at least some confidence in the sophomore’s ability to lead the team next season. Now, in fairness, I’m not sure that many of the guys who entered the portal would have been significant upgrades in OSU’s offense, so Day’s decision to remain quiet might have had more to do with available talent rather than the talent he already has.
But, if Brown goes out and looks good to great tonight, then I think we can all be optimistic that his progress will continue through the offseason. But, if he looks ill-equipped to play against a competent defense like Missouri’s, then maybe we see if former Kansas State QB Will Howard following a bunch of Buckeyes on social media means anything.
So, without all of those caveats out of the way, here is a way-too-early, overly-optimistic attempt to compare tonight’s lineup in the Cotton Bowl with who will be Ohio State’s starters when they open the 2024 season in September.
What Is Ohio State’s Starting Lineup for the Cotton Bowl? What Is Ohio State’s 2024 Depth Chart?
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LGHL Our streaming expert has the best ways to watch the Cotton Bowl for free without cable
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Our streaming expert has the best ways to watch the Cotton Bowl for free without cable
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
You’ve got a number of free trials you can choose from of various lengths and breadths.
It might be a couple of weeks earlier than we had hoped, but the No. 7 Ohio State football team will wrap up its 2023 season tonight as it takes on the No. 9 Missouri Tigers in the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas. The game will be broadcast on ESPN — more on that momentarily — but the matchup gives Ryan Day and his squad an opportunity to take a look at what the team could look like next fall. While we are still waiting final decisions from more than a half-dozen Buckeye starters, the vibe around the program is that there will be far more familiar faces in the scarlet and gray next season than many of us anticipated.
So, that makes tonight’s game increasingly important and exciting. So, while it is technically just an exhibition game, the Buckeyes are approaching the matchup as if it is a must-win, so no OSU fan is going to want to miss this game. But, I know it can be incredibly confusing to find the best way to watch a game in today’s entertainment landscape. Fortunately for you, I am something of a streaming expert... no really, I write about streaming services for a living. So, I am going to walk you through the best — and cheapest — ways for you to stream today’s game.
Also, if you want to put a little money on the game over at DraftKings Sportsbook, not only would it make what could be a blowout even more exciting, but you could make enough cash to pay for a full month of cable or streaming!
Game Date/Time: Friday, Dec. 29 at 8 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Broadcasters: Dave Pasch, Dusty Dvoracek, Tom Luginbill
Betting Line: Ohio State -4.5 | 49 o/u
Matt’s Prediction: Ohio State 31, Missouri 21
Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.
I know that this will make a ton of Buckeye fans angry, but the Cotton Bowl is being broadcast on ESPN — oh, the horror, right? This will be the first time all season that OSU has played on the worldwide leader in sports, so if you are a cord-cutter, I’ll break down the best ways to watch the game.
Fortunately, ESPN is arguably the most important cable channel in all of television, so it is a staple on the standard package of all live TV streaming services. So, if you are looking to stream the game, DIRECTV STREAM is your best option.
The streamer has the only guaranteed multi-day free trial in the industry and provides the most top cable channels of all of its competitors. The basic, Entertainment package comes with all of the major network channels — all of which have college football — ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC. It also has all of the other ESPN channels as well as FS1 and FS2. Then, if you want to upgrade, other packages include the ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPNU, SEC Network, CBS Sports Network, Longhorn Network, and more.
What’s great about DIRECTV STREAM’s free trial is that you are able to sign up for whatever package you want for free. You don’t have to worry about being charged for upgraded plans until after you decide to stick with it. So, you can simply sign up for the top-tier Premier package — which normally costs $154.99 per month — enjoy all 140 channels for five days and then cancel.
Fubo: $84.99 per month, at least a one-day free trial
Sling TV: $40 per month, 50% off first month, no free trisl
Hulu + Live TV: $69.99 per month, comes with Hulu, Disney+, ESPN+ included, no free trisl
YouTube TV: $72.99 per month, no free trisl
Below is your Ohio State vs. Missouri Cotton Bowl game thread. Be respectful, be kind and — as always — keep it classy, BuckeyeNation. If you like GIFs, lay ‘em on us. In all, be good fans, cheer for your teams, be cool to each other (even if somebody else isn’t) and everyone wins. Let’s finish the season strong!
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
You’ve got a number of free trials you can choose from of various lengths and breadths.
It might be a couple of weeks earlier than we had hoped, but the No. 7 Ohio State football team will wrap up its 2023 season tonight as it takes on the No. 9 Missouri Tigers in the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas. The game will be broadcast on ESPN — more on that momentarily — but the matchup gives Ryan Day and his squad an opportunity to take a look at what the team could look like next fall. While we are still waiting final decisions from more than a half-dozen Buckeye starters, the vibe around the program is that there will be far more familiar faces in the scarlet and gray next season than many of us anticipated.
So, that makes tonight’s game increasingly important and exciting. So, while it is technically just an exhibition game, the Buckeyes are approaching the matchup as if it is a must-win, so no OSU fan is going to want to miss this game. But, I know it can be incredibly confusing to find the best way to watch a game in today’s entertainment landscape. Fortunately for you, I am something of a streaming expert... no really, I write about streaming services for a living. So, I am going to walk you through the best — and cheapest — ways for you to stream today’s game.
Also, if you want to put a little money on the game over at DraftKings Sportsbook, not only would it make what could be a blowout even more exciting, but you could make enough cash to pay for a full month of cable or streaming!
How can I watch the Ohio State vs. Missouri in the Cotton Bowl?
Game Date/Time: Friday, Dec. 29 at 8 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Broadcasters: Dave Pasch, Dusty Dvoracek, Tom Luginbill
Betting Line: Ohio State -4.5 | 49 o/u
Matt’s Prediction: Ohio State 31, Missouri 21
Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.
Best Streaming Option to Watch Ohio State vs. Missouri in the Cotton Bowl: DIRECTV STREAM | 5-Day Free Trial
I know that this will make a ton of Buckeye fans angry, but the Cotton Bowl is being broadcast on ESPN — oh, the horror, right? This will be the first time all season that OSU has played on the worldwide leader in sports, so if you are a cord-cutter, I’ll break down the best ways to watch the game.
Fortunately, ESPN is arguably the most important cable channel in all of television, so it is a staple on the standard package of all live TV streaming services. So, if you are looking to stream the game, DIRECTV STREAM is your best option.
The streamer has the only guaranteed multi-day free trial in the industry and provides the most top cable channels of all of its competitors. The basic, Entertainment package comes with all of the major network channels — all of which have college football — ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC. It also has all of the other ESPN channels as well as FS1 and FS2. Then, if you want to upgrade, other packages include the ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPNU, SEC Network, CBS Sports Network, Longhorn Network, and more.
What’s great about DIRECTV STREAM’s free trial is that you are able to sign up for whatever package you want for free. You don’t have to worry about being charged for upgraded plans until after you decide to stick with it. So, you can simply sign up for the top-tier Premier package — which normally costs $154.99 per month — enjoy all 140 channels for five days and then cancel.
Other Streaming Options for the Cotton Bowl:
Fubo: $84.99 per month, at least a one-day free trial
Sling TV: $40 per month, 50% off first month, no free trisl
Hulu + Live TV: $69.99 per month, comes with Hulu, Disney+, ESPN+ included, no free trisl
YouTube TV: $72.99 per month, no free trisl
Join the conversation
Below is your Ohio State vs. Missouri Cotton Bowl game thread. Be respectful, be kind and — as always — keep it classy, BuckeyeNation. If you like GIFs, lay ‘em on us. In all, be good fans, cheer for your teams, be cool to each other (even if somebody else isn’t) and everyone wins. Let’s finish the season strong!
Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State vs. Missouri: 2023 Cotton Bowl game preview and prediction
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- 0 Replies
Ohio State vs. Missouri: 2023 Cotton Bowl game preview and prediction
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
The Buckeyes battle the Tigers for the first time since 1998 in the 88th Goodyear Cotton Bowl.
A little more than a month after suffering a 30-24 loss to Michigan in Ann Arbor that put an end to their Big Ten title and College Football Playoff hopes, Ohio State will close out their 2023 season in Dallas, taking on the Missouri Tigers in the 88th Goodyear Cotton Bowl.
Tonight’s game will mark the third time the Buckeyes have played in the Cotton Bowl, winning their first two appearances in the prestigious game. Ohio State beat Texas A&M 28-12 in the 1987 edition, and most recently defeated USC 24-7 in 2017.
The Cotton Bowl will be Ohio State’s 55th appearance in a bowl game, which is the most among Big Ten teams. The Buckeyes have posted a 26-28 record in bowl games entering tonight’s contest, with the last bowl game they played in ending in a 42-41 heartbreaking loss to Georgia in the Peach Bowl last year on New Year’s Eve in a College Football Playoff semifinal. Ohio State has played in a New Year’s Six bowl every year during the CFP era, which started in 2014. The Buckeyes have gone 7-4 in their 11 previous New Year’s Six bowl games.
Tonight’s game will be the 13th time Ohio State and Missouri have met on the football field. The Buckeyes have dominated the Tigers in most of those matchups, holding a 10-1-1 edge in the series. The majority of the games between the schools came between 1930-1949, with Ohio State winning eight of those games, and the 1946 game ending in a 13-13 tie. Missouri’s lone win came in 1976, when the Tigers rallied from a 21-7 halftime deficit to win 22-21.
While Ohio State has hosted most of their meetings with Missouri, the Buckeyes did travel to Columbia in 1997. Wide receiver David Boston hauled in two touchdowns in the 31-10 win. The most recent matchup between the schools came the following year in Columbus. Missouri gave Ohio State an early scare, heading into halftime leading 14-13 before the Buckeyes took control of the game in the second half to secure a 35-14 victory. Tonight’s contest will be the first time the teams have squared off in a bowl game.
Over the last few years bowl games outside the College Football Playoff have been hit hard by players entering the transfer portal or opting out to prepare for the NFL Draft. This year’s Cotton Bowl isn’t immune from the trend. One of the more surprising players to enter the portal was Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord, who eventually decided he will be playing at Syracuse next season.
The transfer of McCord will leave the reins of the Buckeye offense to Devin Brown, who was on the heels of McCord in the competition to earn the starting quarterback job heading into the season. Brown saw some brief action during the season, attempting 22 passes and running the football 19 times. The redshirt freshman quarterback will be making his first career start, and be trying to state an early case to be the starter Ohio State in 2024.
One Ohio State player whose absence tonight was expected after the Buckeyes lost to Michigan is wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The Heisman Trophy finalist is expected to be one of the top picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, so it makes sense he sit out the Cotton Bowl to avoid injury and prepare for the draft. Harrison is the only Ohio State receiver to record two seasons of at least 1,000 yards receiving. The junior finished the 2023 season with 67 catches for 1,211 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns.
Another Ohio State wide receiver who won’t be playing in this game is Julian Fleming, who entered the transfer portal earlier this month. Fleming caught 26 passes for 270 yards this year. The departures of Harrison and Fleming should allow for freshman Carnell Tate to see more snaps in tonight’s game. There is a ton of hype around Tate, he just didn’t see a ton of action because of how stacked the Buckeyes were at the receiver position this year. Along with Tate, Emeka Egbuka should also be heavily featured in this game. There were questions if Egbuka was going to sit out this game, but all signs are pointing towards the receiver playing.
Joining Egbuka as key parts of the Ohio State offense that won’t skip this game are running back TreVeyon Henderson and tight end Cade Stover. After missing multiple games following the win over Notre Dame, Henderson burst back onto the scene by rushing for over 100 yards in three of the last five games of the regular season. In his first two games back from injury, Henderson totaled over 200 yards in wins over Wisconsin and Rutgers. Henderson playing in the Cotton Bowl will help to take some of the pressure off of quarterback Devin Brown.
Stover suiting up tonight will also provide Brown with a trusted target in the passing game. The tight end followed up a solid season last year with even better number this season, catching 41 passes for 576 yards and five scores. For his career, Stover has 1,078 yards receiving, becoming the second Ohio State tight end to crack 1,000 career receiving yards. This will be Stover’s final game in the scarlet and gray.
On the defensive side of the football, most of the starters from this season will be on the field in Dallas. One player who won’t suit up will be safety Lathan Ransom, who is still recovering from an injury he suffered late in the season. It is still unknown if linebacker Tommy Eichenberg will play, as he too is recovering from injury. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said earlier this week Eichenberg’s status is “up in the air”.
The defensive line for Ohio State will be in tact since defensive ends Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau are expected to play, as is defensive tackle Tyleik Williams. Sawyer came on at the end of the year registering 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks over the last two games. On the other end of the defensive line, Tuimoloau had his moments but he might have set the bar too high for what he can do in a game with his massive performance against Penn State last year. Williams was the most consistent player on the defensive line, clogging up the middle and making 10 stops behind the line of scrimmage.
Even if Eichenberg can’t play tonight, Ohio State will still have Steele Chambers and Cody Simon suiting up in Dallas. Chambers is second the team with 75 tackles and will be making his final start for the Buckeyes. Simon has already announced he will be returning to Columbus next year for his senior season. The linebacker has started to put it all together, improving as the year went on. Even if Eichenberg plays, he’ll likely be limited, which will allow for C.J. Hicks to see more snaps, as Knowles will want to see what Hicks can offer ahead of next season.
The strength of the Ohio State defense this year was the secondary. After getting torched in their most important games last season, the pass defense of the Buckeyes was tops in the country, allowing just 147.4 yards per game. Cornerback Denzel Burke announced earlier this week he would be playing tonight, but will announced his future plans early in 2024. Burke broke up nine passes this season, one ahead of safety Josh Proctor for the team lead. Safety Sonny Styles along with cornerbacks Davison Igbinosun, Jordan Hancock, and Jermaine Matthews Jr. are a few others who will likely see plenty of playing time tonight.
Missouri enters the Cotton Bowl with a 10-2 record this season, with their only losses coming to LSU and Georgia. The Tigers closed out the regular season with an easy 48-14 win over Arkansas, extending their winning streak to three games. Tonight’s contest will be the fourth time Missouri has played in the Cotton Bowl. The Tigers have posted a 2-1 record in their previous three appearances in the classic. After losing to Texas 40-27 in 1946, Missouri beat Arkansas 38-7 in 2008, followed by a 41-31 win over Oklahoma State in 2014.
Coaching the Tigers is Eliah Drinkwitz, who is in his fourth season in charge in Columbia. After a 12-1 season at Appalachian State in 2019, Drinkwitz garnered the attention of Missouri, who hired him following the outstanding season. The first three seasons with the Tigers were nothing special for Drinkwitz, posting a 17-19 record. Missouri will be looking for their first bowl win under Drinkwitz after losing the Armed Forces Bowl to Army in 2021 and the Gasparilla Bowl to Wake Forest last year.
Leading the offense of the Tigers is a three-headed monster of quarterback Brady Cook, running back Cody Schrader and wide receiver Luther Burden III. Following a rough start to his Missouri career that saw some fans boo him last year, Cook was outstanding this year, throwing for over 3,100 yards and 20 touchdowns, while adding eight more scores on the ground. Cook’s best performance of the season came against Vanderbilt when he completed 80 percent of his passes for 397 yards and four touchdowns.
Schrader was one of the best running backs in the country this season, finishing with 1,499 yards and 13 touchdowns. In the blowout win over Tennessee, Schrader became the first player to rush for at least 200 yards and amass at least 100 receiving yards in an SEC game. In the final game of the regular season, Schrader had his highest rushing output of the season, totaling 217 yards against Arkansas. Schrader was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award this year, which was won by Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon II.
Opposing defenses weren’t able to key on Schrader since Missouri also has Luther Burden III. The talented wide receiver caught 83 passes for nearly 1,200 yards, finding the end zone eight times during the regular season. Burden had five-game stretch earlier in the season where he eclipsed 100 yards receiving. The sophomore made a huge leap this year, nearly doubling his catches, as well as his yard per catch average. Along with Burden, Ohio State’s secondary will have to keep tabs on Theo Wease and former Ohio State recruit Mookie Cooper.
While Missouri’s defense doesn’t have a standout star, they have a bunch of guys that can make some plays. Safety Joseph Charleston lead the team with 60 tackles, and also broke up four passes this season. Leading the team with four interceptions this year is cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine. The junior also broke up 12 passes during the season. The other starting corner will be Ennis Rakestraw Jr., and Jaylon Charles will join Charleston at safety.
Missouri registered 36 sacks this year. Leading the pass rush is defensive end Darius Robinson, with the senior totaling 12 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. At the other defensive end spot is junior Johnny Walker Jr., who added four sacks. Clogging up the middle will be a quartet of seniors at defensive tackle. Jay Jernigan, Realus George Jr., Kristian Williams, and Josh Landry will all be looking to create havoc for the Ohio State offensive line.
The linebacker position was patrolled this season by seniors Ty’Ron Hopper and Chuck Hicks, but Hopper will not play in the Cotton Bowl as a result of an injury. Hopper did a bit of everything, securing 55 tackles, six behind the line of scrimmage, three sacks, and three pass breakups. Hicks was even better at making stops behind the line, as he was credited with 10 TFLs. Joining Hicks will be sophomore Daylan Carnell, who lineups up at Missouri’s STAR position.
Shortly after this matchup was announced, there was a lot of negative feelings about the bowl game for Ohio State following the transfer of McCord, along with the status of a handful of key players being up in the air. Some of those negative thoughts have gone away since the majority of those players who were iffy for the game have announced they will be playing tonight.
Ohio State can’t afford to take the Tigers lightly, especially with the offensive firepower Missouri has. Unfortunately for the Tigers, the strength of the Buckeyes is their defense. Ohio State bends at times, but they don’t break. One thing the Buckeyes have been great at this year is guarding against the big play. What Ohio State has to do is keep Cody Schrader from getting into a rhythm. If Schrader can get some solid gains early, it could be a long day. Just ask Tennessee.
Hopefully Ryan Day won’t have a tight leash on Devin Brown in this game. If Brown is the favorite to be the starter next year, open up the playbook for him. Luckily for Brown, he has had some extra practices to become more comfortable running the offense after only seeing limited duty during the regular season.
Even with a new starting quarterback, Ohio State will be a little too much in this game. The Buckeyes have heard the doubters after losing to Michigan and will want to prove some people wrong. Plus, all the players that will suit up who were on the fence about playing will be wanting to put up some big performances to potentially boost their draft stock. The Buckeyes outlast the Tigers in what could be an entertaining game.
Continue reading...
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
The Buckeyes battle the Tigers for the first time since 1998 in the 88th Goodyear Cotton Bowl.
A little more than a month after suffering a 30-24 loss to Michigan in Ann Arbor that put an end to their Big Ten title and College Football Playoff hopes, Ohio State will close out their 2023 season in Dallas, taking on the Missouri Tigers in the 88th Goodyear Cotton Bowl.
Tonight’s game will mark the third time the Buckeyes have played in the Cotton Bowl, winning their first two appearances in the prestigious game. Ohio State beat Texas A&M 28-12 in the 1987 edition, and most recently defeated USC 24-7 in 2017.
Ohio State’s history in bowls and against Missouri
The Cotton Bowl will be Ohio State’s 55th appearance in a bowl game, which is the most among Big Ten teams. The Buckeyes have posted a 26-28 record in bowl games entering tonight’s contest, with the last bowl game they played in ending in a 42-41 heartbreaking loss to Georgia in the Peach Bowl last year on New Year’s Eve in a College Football Playoff semifinal. Ohio State has played in a New Year’s Six bowl every year during the CFP era, which started in 2014. The Buckeyes have gone 7-4 in their 11 previous New Year’s Six bowl games.
Tonight’s game will be the 13th time Ohio State and Missouri have met on the football field. The Buckeyes have dominated the Tigers in most of those matchups, holding a 10-1-1 edge in the series. The majority of the games between the schools came between 1930-1949, with Ohio State winning eight of those games, and the 1946 game ending in a 13-13 tie. Missouri’s lone win came in 1976, when the Tigers rallied from a 21-7 halftime deficit to win 22-21.
While Ohio State has hosted most of their meetings with Missouri, the Buckeyes did travel to Columbia in 1997. Wide receiver David Boston hauled in two touchdowns in the 31-10 win. The most recent matchup between the schools came the following year in Columbus. Missouri gave Ohio State an early scare, heading into halftime leading 14-13 before the Buckeyes took control of the game in the second half to secure a 35-14 victory. Tonight’s contest will be the first time the teams have squared off in a bowl game.
Who is playing and who isn’t for the Ohio State offense
Over the last few years bowl games outside the College Football Playoff have been hit hard by players entering the transfer portal or opting out to prepare for the NFL Draft. This year’s Cotton Bowl isn’t immune from the trend. One of the more surprising players to enter the portal was Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord, who eventually decided he will be playing at Syracuse next season.
The transfer of McCord will leave the reins of the Buckeye offense to Devin Brown, who was on the heels of McCord in the competition to earn the starting quarterback job heading into the season. Brown saw some brief action during the season, attempting 22 passes and running the football 19 times. The redshirt freshman quarterback will be making his first career start, and be trying to state an early case to be the starter Ohio State in 2024.
One Ohio State player whose absence tonight was expected after the Buckeyes lost to Michigan is wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The Heisman Trophy finalist is expected to be one of the top picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, so it makes sense he sit out the Cotton Bowl to avoid injury and prepare for the draft. Harrison is the only Ohio State receiver to record two seasons of at least 1,000 yards receiving. The junior finished the 2023 season with 67 catches for 1,211 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns.
Another Ohio State wide receiver who won’t be playing in this game is Julian Fleming, who entered the transfer portal earlier this month. Fleming caught 26 passes for 270 yards this year. The departures of Harrison and Fleming should allow for freshman Carnell Tate to see more snaps in tonight’s game. There is a ton of hype around Tate, he just didn’t see a ton of action because of how stacked the Buckeyes were at the receiver position this year. Along with Tate, Emeka Egbuka should also be heavily featured in this game. There were questions if Egbuka was going to sit out this game, but all signs are pointing towards the receiver playing.
Joining Egbuka as key parts of the Ohio State offense that won’t skip this game are running back TreVeyon Henderson and tight end Cade Stover. After missing multiple games following the win over Notre Dame, Henderson burst back onto the scene by rushing for over 100 yards in three of the last five games of the regular season. In his first two games back from injury, Henderson totaled over 200 yards in wins over Wisconsin and Rutgers. Henderson playing in the Cotton Bowl will help to take some of the pressure off of quarterback Devin Brown.
Stover suiting up tonight will also provide Brown with a trusted target in the passing game. The tight end followed up a solid season last year with even better number this season, catching 41 passes for 576 yards and five scores. For his career, Stover has 1,078 yards receiving, becoming the second Ohio State tight end to crack 1,000 career receiving yards. This will be Stover’s final game in the scarlet and gray.
What to expect from the Buckeye defense
On the defensive side of the football, most of the starters from this season will be on the field in Dallas. One player who won’t suit up will be safety Lathan Ransom, who is still recovering from an injury he suffered late in the season. It is still unknown if linebacker Tommy Eichenberg will play, as he too is recovering from injury. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said earlier this week Eichenberg’s status is “up in the air”.
The defensive line for Ohio State will be in tact since defensive ends Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau are expected to play, as is defensive tackle Tyleik Williams. Sawyer came on at the end of the year registering 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks over the last two games. On the other end of the defensive line, Tuimoloau had his moments but he might have set the bar too high for what he can do in a game with his massive performance against Penn State last year. Williams was the most consistent player on the defensive line, clogging up the middle and making 10 stops behind the line of scrimmage.
Even if Eichenberg can’t play tonight, Ohio State will still have Steele Chambers and Cody Simon suiting up in Dallas. Chambers is second the team with 75 tackles and will be making his final start for the Buckeyes. Simon has already announced he will be returning to Columbus next year for his senior season. The linebacker has started to put it all together, improving as the year went on. Even if Eichenberg plays, he’ll likely be limited, which will allow for C.J. Hicks to see more snaps, as Knowles will want to see what Hicks can offer ahead of next season.
The strength of the Ohio State defense this year was the secondary. After getting torched in their most important games last season, the pass defense of the Buckeyes was tops in the country, allowing just 147.4 yards per game. Cornerback Denzel Burke announced earlier this week he would be playing tonight, but will announced his future plans early in 2024. Burke broke up nine passes this season, one ahead of safety Josh Proctor for the team lead. Safety Sonny Styles along with cornerbacks Davison Igbinosun, Jordan Hancock, and Jermaine Matthews Jr. are a few others who will likely see plenty of playing time tonight.
Missouri’s season & Cotton Bowl history at a glance
Missouri enters the Cotton Bowl with a 10-2 record this season, with their only losses coming to LSU and Georgia. The Tigers closed out the regular season with an easy 48-14 win over Arkansas, extending their winning streak to three games. Tonight’s contest will be the fourth time Missouri has played in the Cotton Bowl. The Tigers have posted a 2-1 record in their previous three appearances in the classic. After losing to Texas 40-27 in 1946, Missouri beat Arkansas 38-7 in 2008, followed by a 41-31 win over Oklahoma State in 2014.
Coaching the Tigers is Eliah Drinkwitz, who is in his fourth season in charge in Columbia. After a 12-1 season at Appalachian State in 2019, Drinkwitz garnered the attention of Missouri, who hired him following the outstanding season. The first three seasons with the Tigers were nothing special for Drinkwitz, posting a 17-19 record. Missouri will be looking for their first bowl win under Drinkwitz after losing the Armed Forces Bowl to Army in 2021 and the Gasparilla Bowl to Wake Forest last year.
A talented trio
Leading the offense of the Tigers is a three-headed monster of quarterback Brady Cook, running back Cody Schrader and wide receiver Luther Burden III. Following a rough start to his Missouri career that saw some fans boo him last year, Cook was outstanding this year, throwing for over 3,100 yards and 20 touchdowns, while adding eight more scores on the ground. Cook’s best performance of the season came against Vanderbilt when he completed 80 percent of his passes for 397 yards and four touchdowns.
Schrader was one of the best running backs in the country this season, finishing with 1,499 yards and 13 touchdowns. In the blowout win over Tennessee, Schrader became the first player to rush for at least 200 yards and amass at least 100 receiving yards in an SEC game. In the final game of the regular season, Schrader had his highest rushing output of the season, totaling 217 yards against Arkansas. Schrader was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award this year, which was won by Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon II.
Opposing defenses weren’t able to key on Schrader since Missouri also has Luther Burden III. The talented wide receiver caught 83 passes for nearly 1,200 yards, finding the end zone eight times during the regular season. Burden had five-game stretch earlier in the season where he eclipsed 100 yards receiving. The sophomore made a huge leap this year, nearly doubling his catches, as well as his yard per catch average. Along with Burden, Ohio State’s secondary will have to keep tabs on Theo Wease and former Ohio State recruit Mookie Cooper.
How Missouri will line up on defense
While Missouri’s defense doesn’t have a standout star, they have a bunch of guys that can make some plays. Safety Joseph Charleston lead the team with 60 tackles, and also broke up four passes this season. Leading the team with four interceptions this year is cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine. The junior also broke up 12 passes during the season. The other starting corner will be Ennis Rakestraw Jr., and Jaylon Charles will join Charleston at safety.
Missouri registered 36 sacks this year. Leading the pass rush is defensive end Darius Robinson, with the senior totaling 12 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. At the other defensive end spot is junior Johnny Walker Jr., who added four sacks. Clogging up the middle will be a quartet of seniors at defensive tackle. Jay Jernigan, Realus George Jr., Kristian Williams, and Josh Landry will all be looking to create havoc for the Ohio State offensive line.
The linebacker position was patrolled this season by seniors Ty’Ron Hopper and Chuck Hicks, but Hopper will not play in the Cotton Bowl as a result of an injury. Hopper did a bit of everything, securing 55 tackles, six behind the line of scrimmage, three sacks, and three pass breakups. Hicks was even better at making stops behind the line, as he was credited with 10 TFLs. Joining Hicks will be sophomore Daylan Carnell, who lineups up at Missouri’s STAR position.
Summary
Shortly after this matchup was announced, there was a lot of negative feelings about the bowl game for Ohio State following the transfer of McCord, along with the status of a handful of key players being up in the air. Some of those negative thoughts have gone away since the majority of those players who were iffy for the game have announced they will be playing tonight.
Ohio State can’t afford to take the Tigers lightly, especially with the offensive firepower Missouri has. Unfortunately for the Tigers, the strength of the Buckeyes is their defense. Ohio State bends at times, but they don’t break. One thing the Buckeyes have been great at this year is guarding against the big play. What Ohio State has to do is keep Cody Schrader from getting into a rhythm. If Schrader can get some solid gains early, it could be a long day. Just ask Tennessee.
Hopefully Ryan Day won’t have a tight leash on Devin Brown in this game. If Brown is the favorite to be the starter next year, open up the playbook for him. Luckily for Brown, he has had some extra practices to become more comfortable running the offense after only seeing limited duty during the regular season.
Even with a new starting quarterback, Ohio State will be a little too much in this game. The Buckeyes have heard the doubters after losing to Michigan and will want to prove some people wrong. Plus, all the players that will suit up who were on the fence about playing will be wanting to put up some big performances to potentially boost their draft stock. The Buckeyes outlast the Tigers in what could be an entertaining game.
LGHL score prediction: Ohio State 31, Missouri 24
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LGHL In Conversation Podcast: Who are the Missouri Tigers? We breaking down OSU’s Cotton Bowl opponent
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In Conversation Podcast: Who are the Missouri Tigers? We breaking down OSU’s Cotton Bowl opponent
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Nate Edwards from Rock M Radio joins us to give us the inside scoop.
On the Land-Grant Podcast Network’s “In Conversation,” we talk to people in and around Ohio State athletics, and the sporting world at large, to bring you a different insight and perspective to the teams, athletes, and university that you love.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
On this episode of “Land-Grant In Conversation,” Matt Tamanini talks to Nate Edwards from Rock M Radio to get an inside look at the Missouri Tigers who will face off against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl tonight in Arlington, Texas. Nate gets into what OSU fans should expect on both sides of the ball, who the must-stop offensive weapons are, who will be looking to disrupt Devin Brown’s first start, and more.
He also talks about the fun that head coach Eli Drinkwitz brings to the Mizzou program and makes some predictions about tonight’s game.
Connect with Nate Edwards
Twitter: @NateGEdwards
Connect with Matt Tamanini
Twitter: @BWWMatt
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Nate Edwards from Rock M Radio joins us to give us the inside scoop.
On the Land-Grant Podcast Network’s “In Conversation,” we talk to people in and around Ohio State athletics, and the sporting world at large, to bring you a different insight and perspective to the teams, athletes, and university that you love.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
On this episode of “Land-Grant In Conversation,” Matt Tamanini talks to Nate Edwards from Rock M Radio to get an inside look at the Missouri Tigers who will face off against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl tonight in Arlington, Texas. Nate gets into what OSU fans should expect on both sides of the ball, who the must-stop offensive weapons are, who will be looking to disrupt Devin Brown’s first start, and more.
He also talks about the fun that head coach Eli Drinkwitz brings to the Mizzou program and makes some predictions about tonight’s game.
Connect with Nate Edwards
Twitter: @NateGEdwards
Connect with Matt Tamanini
Twitter: @BWWMatt
Theme music provided by www.bensound.com
Continue reading...
