Mizzou offense prepares for stout Ohio State defense

DALLAS, Tx. (KMIZ)

During a press conference on Wednesday, Dec. 20, Mizzou football coach Eli Drinkwitz said Ohio State will be one of the best, if not the best, defense his team will face this season. Drinkwitz's crew is now just three days away from facing that challenge.

On Tuesday afternoon, Mizzou practiced for the third time since arriving in Dallas. The Tigers view executing their game plan as one of the keys to leaving AT&T Stadium with a win on Friday.

"Just be really good in our execution," Mizzou running back Cody Schrader said. "I'm really confident in the game plan, our preparation that we've had."

Kirby Moore and his Tiger offense are preparing to face a talented Ohio State defense, a unit that ranks third in the nation in total defense and tied for seventh in defensive touchdowns in college football.

"It starts with personnel. They got some pretty good players," Mizzou offensive coordinator Kirby Moore said. "There's a variety of defense. Coach Knowles does a really good job, but at the same time, with that variety of defense, they're really sound. That's really good coaching and teaching, and their guys are out there executing really, really well."

Mizzou will face Ohio State on Friday, Dec. 29 at AT&T Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.