what to know before Ohio State and Missouri clash in the Cotton Bowl

The SEC will meet the Big Ten when the Missouri Tigers play the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 29.

Here’s what fans need to know before the top ten matchup kickoff.

No. 9 MISSOURI (10-2) vs. No. 7 OHIO STATE (11-1)

Dec. 29, 7 p.m., ESPN

Location: Arlington

Player to know: Missouri: Doak Walker Award finalist Cody Schrader, 1,489 yards, 13 touchdowns; Ohio State: Heisman finalist Marvin Harrison Jr., 67 receptions, 1,211 yards, 14 touchdowns

It’s a fact: Missouri: The Tigers won 10 games for the first time since the 2014 season and finished in second place in the SEC East. The Tigers also secured their first winning season since 2018.

Ohio State: Since 2012 the Buckeyes have won 11 games in every single season except the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Ohio State will be without starting quarterback Kyle McCord who entered the transfer portal.

Last time: Ohio State 35, Missouri 14 (Sept. 19, 1998)

Bowl history: Ohio State: Third appearance in the Cotton Bowl, 56th bowl game in school history; Missouri: Fourth Cotton Bowl appearance, 36th bowl game in school history.