How to Watch: Mizzou Against Ohio State in Cotton Bowl Classic

The No. 9 Missouri Tigers will face the No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes in one of the New Year's Six bowl games.

The University of Missouri and Ohio State have only met on the gridiron 12 times since 1939 with the latest coming in 1998. The Buckeyes have handled the Tigers in all but two of those matchups, including one that ended in a tie.

However, Friday night's clash is being played in bowl season, and better yet, the Cotton Bowl Classic is among the six most prestigious bowl games of the 43.

Ohio State has been in these high-pressure New Year's Six games several times over the last decade. The Buckeyes are used to it, as every season they seem to have a "College Football Playoff or bust" mentality. Ohio State didn't make the final four this year, as its loss to Michigan in the final game of the regular season spoiled its undefeated record and they settled for a No. 7 final ranking.

No need to sugarcoat it, Missouri had zero expectations of reaching a New Year's Six bowl before the season kicked off. The Tigers hadn't had a winning record since 2018 and their most recent 10-plus win season came all the way back in 2014. This past offseason, the players seemed to buy into head coach Eli Drinkwitz and his staff's methods and the Tigers have become perhaps the most surprising team in football by finishing the season 10-2 with a No. 9 final ranking.

What: No. 9 Missouri (10-2, 6-2 SEC) vs. No. 7 Ohio State (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten)

Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

When: Friday, Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. CT

TV: ESPN

Series: Ohio State leads 10-1-1

Last meeting: Ohio State defeated Missouri 35-14 in 1998, despite trailing 14-13 at halftime. Buckeyes running back Michael Wiley rushed for 209 yards and two touchdowns.

Last time out, Missouri: The Tigers handled Arkansas 48-14 on Nov. 24. Burlsworth Trophy winner and Doak Walker Award finalist Cody Schrader ran 27 times for 217 yards and two touchdowns.

Last time out, Ohio State: The Buckeyes fell to Michigan 30-24 in "The Game" on Nov. 24. Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was a key contributor in the thriller, as he tallied five receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown. However, the Buckeyes will be without starting quarterback Kyle McCord against Missouri, as he entered the transfer portal and eventually committed to Syracuse. Sophomore Devin Brown will get his first career start in the Cotton Bowl.

What to Know About Ohio State Ahead Of Cotton Bowl Matchup Against Missouri