By the numbers: Comparing Ohio State and Missouri

COLUMBUS — Ohio State is hoping to wash the bad Michigan taste from its mouth on Dec. 29 when it takes on Missouri in the Cotton Bowl.

The Big Ten East runner-up Buckeyes and SEC East runner-up Tigers will go head-to-head for the 13th time in the programs’ histories but the first time this century. Ohio State leads the all-time series, 10-1-1.

No. 9 Missouri presents a significant challenge to No. 7 Ohio State. After all, the Tigers have an array of offensive stars, similar to the Buckeyes, not to mention a defense that — while not elite — can wreak havoc. They’re tied for 15th nationally in sacks per game and tied for 12th in turnover margin per game.

Missouri’s biggest weakness? Well, that might be the Tigers’ secondary. They are 63rd in the country, and eighth in the SEC, in passing defense. Ohio State quarterback Devin Brown, in position to replace Kyle McCord as the Buckeyes’ starter, will have a chance to capitalize on that matchup advantage.

The Buckeyes were striving for the College Football Playoff. Instead, they find themselves in a New Year’s Six bowl, which features a top-10 showdown in Dallas that could be quite entertaining.

Lettermen Row tracked how Ohio State and Missouri compare after 12 games, by the numbers.

Scoring Offense

Buckeyes: 32.8 points per game (32nd nationally in FBS, 3rd in Big Ten)
Missouri: 34.1 points per game (T-25th nationally in FBS, 6th in SEC)

Total Offense

Buckeyes: 425.0 yards per game (37th nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)
Missouri: 442.9 yards per game (24th nationally in FBS, 5th in SEC)

Passing Offense

Buckeyes: 282.7 yards per game (22nd nationally in FBS, 2nd in Big Ten)
Missouri: 273.5 yards per game (30th nationally in FBS, 5th in SEC)

Rushing Offense

Buckeyes: 142.33 yards per game (87th nationally in FBS, 8th in Big Ten)
Missouri: 169.42 yards per game (53rd nationally in FBS, 7th in SEC)

Scoring Defense

Buckeyes: 11.0 points per game allowed (2nd nationally in FBS, 2nd in Big Ten)
Missouri: 22.3 points per game allowed (T-40th nationally in FBS, T-6th in SEC)

Total Defense

Buckeyes: 259.9 yards per game allowed (3rd nationally in FBS, 3rd in Big Ten)
Missouri: 347.2 yards per game allowed (39th nationally in FBS, 4th in SEC)

Passing Defense

Buckeyes: 147.4 yards per game allowed (1st nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)
Missouri: 222.2 yards per game allowed (63rd nationally in FBS, 8th in SEC)

Rushing Defense

Buckeyes: 112.5 yards per game allowed (24th nationally in FBS, 5th in Big Ten)
Missouri: 125.0 yards per game allowed (32nd nationally in FBS, 6th in SEC)

3rd Down Conversion

Buckeyes: 46.05% (18th nationally in FBS, 2nd in Big Ten)
Missouri: 44.44% (31st nationally in FBS, 4th in SEC)

Opponent 3rd Down Conversion

Buckeyes: 28.90% (9th nationally in FBS, 1st in Big Ten)
Missouri: 38.79% (64th nationally in FBS, 9th in SEC)

Red Zone TD Percentage

Buckeyes: 64.00% (T-49th nationally in FBS, T-6th in Big Ten)
Missouri: 61.82% (67th nationally in FBS, 11th in SEC)

Opponent Red Zone TD Percentage

Buckeyes: 44.00% (9th nationally in FBS, 4th in Big Ten)
Missouri: 53.85% (T-33rd nationally in FBS, 4th in SEC)

Sacks Per Game

Buckeyes: 1.83 (T-93rd nationally in FBS, 12th in Big Ten)
Missouri: 2.92 (T-15th nationally in FBS, 4th in SEC)

Sacks Allowed Per Game

Buckeyes: 1.58 (T-36th nationally in FBS, 5th in Big Ten)
Missouri: 1.67 (T-45th nationally in FBS, T-3rd in SEC)

Turnover Margin Per Game

Buckeyes: -0.08 (T-77th nationally in FBS, 9th in Big Ten)
Missouri: 0.75 (T-12th nationally in FBS, T-1st in SEC)

Time of Possession

Buckeyes: 29:42.00 (68th nationally in FBS, 7th in Big Ten)
Missouri: 30:08.08 (62nd nationally in FBS, 6th in SEC)

Penalties Per Game

Buckeyes: 5.5 (T-47th nationally in FBS, T-10th in Big Ten)
Missouri: 7.2 (T-119th nationally in FBS, T-11th in SEC)

Punt Average

Buckeyes: 42.80 (49th nationally in FBS, 6th in Big Ten)
Missouri: 41.12 (88th nationally in FBS, 11th in SEC)