Ohio State Now An Underdog vs. Missouri in Cotton Bowl After Kyle McCord’s Departure

The betting line has moved by more than a touchdown since Kyle McCord entered the transfer portal on Monday morning. While Ohio State was still favored to beat Missouri by 6.5 points at most sportsbooks at that time, the line has steadily moved in the Tigers’ direction since to the point that the Buckeyes are now a 1-point underdog, according to BettingPros’ consensus line.

McCord’s departure is certainly a significant factor in that line movement, as Ohio State will now enter the Cotton Bowl with a first-time starting quarterback, regardless of whether that ends up being redshirt freshman Devin Brown or true freshman Lincoln Kienholz.

The Buckeyes have also already lost another starter to the transfer portal in wide receiver Julian Fleming, while it’s also possible that some of Ohio State’s NFL-bound stars could opt out of the game to preserve their health for the draft. While Ryan Day said Sunday that he’s “expecting everyone to play,” the line movement would suggest that bettors and oddsmakers have doubts.

Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz also said that he expects his entire team to play against the Buckeyes, saying the Tigers’ seniors told him it was their plan “to finish one more game together.”

While Ohio State is now a betting underdog, the Buckeyes will enter the Cotton Bowl as the higher-ranked team, as the Buckeyes were ranked seventh in the final CFP rankings and the final AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll before bowl season while the Tigers were slotted ninth in all three rankings.

Historically, the Buckeyes have often thrived as an underdog, winning eight of their last 12 teams when their opponent is favored by sportsbooks. However, Ohio State is just 1-4 as an underdog under Ryan Day, losing its last three games as an underdog including its most recent game against Michigan, which sent the Buckeyes to the Cotton Bowl rather than this year’s College Football Playoff.