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A pair of teams that narrowly missed the College Football Playoff clash at AT&T Stadium on Friday night when Missouri and Ohio State square off in the Cotton Bowl.

Mizzou vs. Ohio State Cotton Bowl odds outlook

The Buckeyes had a phenomenal season that ended in a loss to top-ranked Michigan. The defeat closed the book on Ohio State’s Big Ten Championship and CFP dreams.

While OSU failed to reach the ultimate goal, the Cotton Bowl is an opportunity to kickstart its 2024 campaign. Kyle McCord eclipsed 3,000 passing yards but has already joined Syracuse in the transfer portal, leaving Devin Brown to start under center vs. Mizzou.

Heisman finalist and consensus top-five NFL Draft selection Marvin Harrison Jr. hasn’t officially opted out of the Cotton Bowl, though he was present at OSU’s early-week practices as a non-participant, meaning he’ll likely sit out to avoid injury.

Mizzou is one of the teams least impacted by bowl game opt-outs, as Brady Cook, Luther Burden, and Cody Schrader are suiting up. The Tigers are in the midst of their first 10-win season since 2014 and can end the year with a bang by taking down one of college football’s blue-blood programs.

Mizzou vs. Ohio State best bets: Mizzou +2.5 (-105 or better)

The spread opened with Ohio State as near-touchdown favorites and took just a few days to move to roughly three points.

The Buckeyes’ player’s mindsets will be pivotal in this matchup. If Ohio State is still dwelling on failing to reach the CFP, Missouri will likely win the game handily, as the Tigers should find plenty of motivation in taking down a top-tier team.

With Ohio State’s motivation coming into question, we’re taking Missouri with the points. Burden and Schrader are one of the nation’s best WR-RB combos, and Cook’s mobility will be a difference-maker on Friday night.

Mizzou vs. Ohio State best bets: Devin Brown over 223.5 passing yards (-114 or better)

While MHJ is likely to watch the Cotton Bowl from the sidelines, Brown will still have TreVeyon Henderson and Emeke Egbuka at his disposal. Brown and McCord were neck-and-neck for the starting job in the preseason, and Devin is equally skilled as Kyle and should have no problem stepping in vs. Mizzou.

The Tigers allow 222 passing yards per game and are superb at pressuring the quarterback. If Brown can avoid the urge to take risks and make big plays when the defense closes in, he should be in a solid position to surpass his passing prop.

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