Ohio State vs. Missouri odds, line, spread: 2023 Cotton Bowl picks, prediction from proven model
The No. 9 Missouri Tigers (10-2) look to end their losing streak in bowl games when they take on the seventh-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1) in the 2023 Cotton Bowl Classic on Friday. Missouri, which won its final three regular-season contests, has come up empty in four consecutive bowl appearances since recording a 33-17 victory against Minnesota in the 2015 Citrus Bowl. Ohio State won both of its previous trips to the Cotton Bowl, defeating Texas A&M in 1987 and USC six years ago. The Buckeyes are 10-1-1 all-time against the Tigers.
Kickoff at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Tex. is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. The Buckeyes are 5.5-point favorites in the latest Ohio State vs. Missouri odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 50. Before making any Missouri vs. Ohio State picks, you need to see the college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, it has generated a strong profit of well over $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. The model enters bowl season a profitable 13-9 on top-rated spread picks. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Ohio State vs. Missouri and just revealed its picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine to see the model's CFB picks. Here are several college football odds and trends for Missouri vs. Ohio State:
- Ohio State vs. Missouri spread: Buckeyes -5.5
- Ohio State vs. Missouri over/under: 50 points
- Ohio State vs. Missouri money line: Buckeyes -211, Tigers +174
- OSU: The Buckeyes are 2-9-1 against the spread in their last 12 games as favorites versus AP-ranked opponents
- MIZZ: The Tigers are 5-0 ATS in their last five contests away from home
- Ohio State vs. Missouri picks: See picks at SportsLine
- Ohio State vs. Missouri live stream: fubo (try for free)
Why Ohio State can cover
While the Buckeyes' aerial attack figures to be significantly compromised without quarterback Kyle McCord (transfer) and receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (opt-out), their ground game will be largely intact. TreVeyon Henderson put the rumors that he also would sit out to rest on Wednesday, announcing he indeed will be in Ohio State's backfield on Friday. The junior running back, who has yet to decide whether he'll return for his senior year in 2024 or enter the NFL Draft, has rushed for 854 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.
After being kept out of the end zone by Indiana in his 2023 debut, Henderson ran for at least one TD in each of his next nine contests, scoring twice on three occasions. He has reached triple digits in yardage in four of his last six outings, racking up a season-high 162 yards at Wisconsin on Oct. 28. The Buckeyes are hoping the combination of Henderson and their defense, which ranks third in the nation (259.9 yards allowed) takes the weight off the shoulders of sophomore quarterback Devin Brown, who has attempted only 22 passes in five appearances this season. See which team to pick here.
Why Missouri can cover
Ohio State is third in the nation in total defense (259.9 yards allowed), second in points permitted (11.0) and first against the pass (147.4 yards) but ranks 24th versus the run with an average of 112.5 yards allowed. The Tigers are 54th in the country in rushing (169.4 yards) but possess one of the nation's most productive running backs in senior Cody Schrader, who is fourth with 1,489 yards and has reached triple digits in five consecutive games to tie the single-season school record set in 1969 by Joe Moore. Schrader has recorded eight 100-yard performances this year and eclipsed the 200-yard mark in two of his last three outings after setting a career high with 217 in Missouri's 48-14 win at Arkansas in the regular-season finale.
Schrader, who needs 116 rushing yards to break the Tigers' single-season mark set by Tyler Badie two years ago, has had at least one touchdown run in nine straight games after registering just one over his first three contests this year. Dating back to last season, he has rushed for a TD in 13 of his last 15 outings. Meanwhile, sophomore wideout Luther Burden III is 10th in the nation with 1,197 receiving yards, the fourth-most in a season in school history. Burden can take second place on that list with a strong effort on Friday as he needs 14 yards to pass Victor Bailey (1992) and 64 to overtake Jeremy Maclin (2008). See which team to pick here.
How to make Ohio State vs. Missouri picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 58 combined points. It also says one side of the spread hits more than 50% of the time. You can only see the model's pick at SportsLine.
