Eli Drinkwitz speaks about availability of Missouri, Ohio State players in Cotton Bowl

Eli Drinkwitz and the Missouri Tigers are preparing for a gigantic showdown in the Cotton Bowl against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Ahead of the clash, many are expecting some of Ohio State’s best players to opt-out of the clash, focusing on their NFL potential. The Buckeyes already lost their starting quarterback in Kyle McCord to the transfer portal, so they’ll look different regardless against the Tigers.

That’s not what Drinkwitz is concerning himself with ahead of the showdown though. The Missouri leader is focused on his team ahead of the Cotton Bowl.

“That hasn’t been any part of our conversation and concern,” Drinkwitz said, regarding Ohio State’s opt-outs prior to the bowl game. “We’re focused on our team. The opportunity here. We’re going to have a couple of players that just couldn’t quite get back from an injury standpoint. … That’s part of it. We didn’t have any opt-outs. Our brotherhood is wanting to play in this final game, this one opportunity together. We’re excited to do that.

“But again, it’s — we’re not really focused on the opponent. We’re focused on our team, and what our end-goal is this year.”

Alas, Missouri will be missing some of their important players in the Cotton Bowl, but it won’t be because they don’t want to be on the field. Cornerback Ennis Rakestraw and linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper have been ruled out for the clash, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported.

Both players dealt with injuries during the regular season for Mizzou, and they’ll also miss the bowl game as a result.

Hopper was one of the most important players for the Tigers defense in 2023, ranking second on the team with 55 tackles while only playing in 10 games. He also added 3.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and three passes defended.

As for Rakestraw, he had 40 tackles and a tackle for loss in nine appearances in 2023. That came after a career year in 2022 in which he had 4.5 tackles for loss and 12 passes defended to help anchor the Missouri defense.

Regardless, the game should be a doozy. The Tigers are coming off their first 10-win season since 2014 after Drinkwitz orchestrated an impressive turnaround from back-to-back 6-7 seasons. As for the Buckeyes, they went 11-1 during the regular season, but a loss to Michigan in The Game kept them out of the College Football Playoff.

Time will tell which program ends their season on a high note, but whoever gets the win can enter the offseason with the vibes high and some momentum for 2024.