Cotton Bowl 2014: Missouri to play Oklahoma State in Arlington, Texas

What was rumored for most of the day turned out to be true: Missouri will face Oklahoma State in the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Jerry World in Arlington on January 3, 2014. It will be the fifth meeting between Gary Pinkel and Mike Gundy. Oklahoma State had a chance to lock up its second Big 12 title in three seasons but fell to Oklahoma at home on Saturday; the loss eventually gave Baylor the title, and thanks to Oklahoma securing a spot in the Sugar Bowl, Oklahoma State fell to the Cotton.

Meanwhile, you know Missouri's story. The Tigers lost to Auburn in the SEC Championship on Saturday, and with Alabama quickly securing an at-large BCS bid, there were no more BCS spots available for SEC teams.

Regardless of Saturday disappointment, both of these teams have had lovely seasons. An Oklahoma State win would give the Cowboys a shot at their third top-13 finish in four seasons. A Missouri win would likely push the Tigers to sixth or seventh in the final polls. Both teams have improved off of frustrating 2012 campaigns, but there is still quite a bit at stake.

Hopefully things work out like they did the last time Missouri played in the Cotton Bowl.