Big Ten Conference Bowl Games: Prediction roundtable

Cotton Bowl Classic

No. 5 Ohio State vs No. 8 USC

December 29, 2017 8:30 p.m. ET

AT&T Stadium – Arlington, Texas

The New Year’s Six bowls kick off with a dandy of a matchup in the first game. The Cotton Bowl Classic will feature a clash of two college football heavyweights in Ohio State and Southern California.

Ohio State was disappointed by being left out of the College Football Playoff after a win in the Big Ten Championship, but a date with USC in a big bowl is a nice consolation prize.

The Buckeyes ended the season with a very potent offense, led by quarterback J.T. Barrett and running back J.K. Dobbins. Ohio State finished the regular season ranked fifth in points scored per game and sixth in total offense.

What makes Ohio State a particularly tough matchup is the fact that the Buckeyes are more than just a good offense. They posses one of the best defenses in the country and allowed under 20 points per game.

USC, winners of the PAC-12, suffered two tough losses to Washington State and Stanford and saw its hopes of a berth in the College Football Playoff disappear.

Quarterback Sam Darnold was one of the most talked bout players heading into this season, but dealt with some inconsistencies.

This one could be one of the better matchups of the entire bowl season.

Co-Site Expert Barry Leonard: Ohio State 35  USC 38

Co-Site Expert Collin Wieder: Ohio State 27 USC 34

Contributor Corey Hunter: Ohio State 38  USC 33

Contributor Marty Leap: Ohio State 35  USC 31

Contributor Joe Ciminera: Ohio State 52  USC 45

Contributor Dylan Burd: Ohio State 38  USC 31

Contributor Shane Lunnen: Ohio State 31  USC 34