The Cotton Bowl is not part of the BCS Bowl series, but it usually has the feel of a BCS game given the high profile nature of its participants. This year is certainly no different with No. 8 Missouri, the SEC's East Division winner, taking on a former Big 12 rival in No. 13 Oklahoma State. The duo have a combined record of 21-4 and both were just one win away from competing in a BCS Bowl game. The Tigers and Cowboys are scheduled to meet at 7:30pm ET at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Friday, January 3rd; the game will be broadcast live on FOX. The latest 2014 Cotton Bowl Odds have Mizzou listed as a slight -1 against the spread favorite and the Over/Under set at 60.5 points.

There might be a tinge of disappointment here for the Tigers and Cowboys with both teams missing out on a BCS game, but if there are those feelings, they should dissipate quickly. It is not as though they are facing a lesser opponent in a no name bowl, and the fact that each is facing a former rival should up the ante as well.

Missouri might have more to prove here even though its SEC East title speaks volumes about the kind of bounce back season the Tigers had. No one predicted double digit wins for Gary Pinkel's squad and not a soul envisioned them representing the East in the SEC Championship Game last weekend.

However, the Tigers defense, which had played so well all season, got steam rolled by Auburn's rushing attack and Missouri has also had trouble with Mike Gundy's Cowboys in the recent past.

Oklahoma State is 3-0 in its last three meetings with Missouri and it won those games by an average of 14 points per contest, despite the Tigers fielding some pretty good teams.

The Cowboys will have to shake off their incredibly disappointing Bedlam Series loss to the Sooners, though. Oklahoma State, which had home field advantage in the rivalry clash, was favored by 10 over Oklahoma, but it lost the game 24-33 after giving up 16 fourth quarter points.

Oklahoma State out-gained the Sooners 400 yards to 358, but it finished -1 in turnover margin and allowed OU to go 3-for-3 on fourth down.

Notable Trends: The Cowboys are 2-7 both straight up and against the spread in their last nine games as an underdog with a spread between 0 and 3.5 points. Missouri is 9-1 straight up and 8-1-1 against the spread in its last 10 games as a favorite with a total of 54.5 or more points.

Missouri vs Oklahoma State 2014 Cotton Bowl Odds:

No. 8 Missouri Tigers -1 (-110), Over 60.5 (-110), -117 (Moneyline)

No. 13 Oklahoma State Cowboys +1 (-110), Under 60.5 (-110), -103 (Moneyline)

Handicapping Tips: Live Wagering
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