Missouri Down Two Key Starters For Cotton Bowl vs. Ohio State
The Ohio State Buckeyes are expected to be nearly at full strength for their showdown in the Cotton Bowl vs. the Missouri Tigers next week.
Yes, they will be down their starting quarterback, with Kyle McCord transferring to Syracuse earlier this month, and Lathan Ransom still recovering from the injury he suffered vs. Wisconsin in November.
Outside of that, even with the NFL Draft decisions of multiple players looming, it appears that the Buckeyes roster remains largely intact for the game.
Unfortunately for Mizzou, the same cannot be said, with the Tigers set to be without two key defenders, in defensive back Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and linebacker Ty'Ron Hopper - both of whom are reportedly going to miss the game with injuries, per ESPN.
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Rakestraw has been battling a groin injury since Week 4, and has been replaced in the lineup by the combination of Dreydon Norwood and Sidney Williams,
Hopper, meanwhile, suffered an ankle injury vs. Tennessee in Week 11. And while the Tigers were able to win that game without Hopper in the lineup, his lack of presence would be felt for the remainder of the season.
The following week against Florida, the Tigers allowed 500 yards of total offense, including 261 yards on the ground, with the Gators averaging 6.5 yards per carry, in Missouri's narrow 33-31 win.
In fact, the Tigers only survived thanks to a 65-yard game-winning field goal from Harrison Mevis. Hopper has not played since the Tennessee win.
Whether or not new starting quarterback Devin Brown, who has thrown for just 197 yards with two touchdowns and an interception with a 54.5 percent completion percentage this season in limited action, remains to be seen.
