ARLINGTON, Texas – There is a statement that reads "Success Is In The Routine."

The No. 9 Missouri Tigers (10-2, 6-2 Southeastern Conference) are looking to that philosophy to once again pay victorious dividends for the 11^th time in 2023 in the 88^th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.

The Tigers will face the No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten Conference) Friday, December 29^th at 7 p.m. on ESPN.

Missouri was "Thorough Thursday" for the Tigers, who, after a spirited contest of kickball between the offensive and defensive units, zeroed in on the details of the game plan for Ohio State.

"I think you find comfort in the routine, and you find comfort knowing you are prepared, and what you've done each week to prepare," said Missouri head coach Eliah Drinkwitz. "You try to mimic it as close to a game week as possible and that's what today was all about for us."

Missouri's defense allowed less than 350 yards per game on average this season, yielding just over 22 points per game with 18 takeaways. The defense will look to be stout against a Buckeyes' offense that scores nearly 33 points and gains more than 425 yards per game. 

"It all starts with stopping the run, reacting to what they are trying to do with the quarterback, and then trying to limit their playmakers," Drinkwitz said. "You're not going to be able to eliminate them, but they have plenty of wide-receiver playmakers, and we have to limit their explosiveness."

Approaching 48 hours to kickoff, the Tigers will emphasize recovery and rest prior to gametime.

"We want to focus on execution, focus on the details, and then get back and rested up to get our cold tub rehabs and hydration to play at full speed," Drinkwitz said.  "Fresh horses run fast races."

The 88th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic is Friday, Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN and ESPN Radio. Kickoff is slated for 7:10 p.m. 
 
This year's Classic is a part of the ESPN bowl lineup for the 10th straight year. Dave Pasch and Dusty Dvoracek are set to the call the action from the booth with Tom Luginbill reporting from the sidelines. 
 
ESPN Radio returns as the Classic's national radio partner for the tenth consecutive year with Brad Sham and Kirk Morrison in the booth and Taylor McGregor on the sidelines to describe all the action from AT&T Stadium. 
 
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