ARLINGTON, Texas — The University of Missouri Tigers are in the 88th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic and fans are ready to cheer their team on.
On Thursday at Texas Live!, located right next to AT&T Stadium, fans were out and about wearing gold and black for Mizzou.
Fans from Colorado to Chicago to St. Louis were in Arlington a day before the Cotton Bowl Classic kicks off.
"I grew up in Missouri, in Hannibal, Missouri. My parents still live in Columbia even though I've lived in Colorado for now pushing 30 years. We are diehards, go to multiple games every year whether it be basketball or football games," Dennis Derrieux said.
Dennis and his son Drew came from Colorado to see the Mizzou game with their family.
"The bowl, the pedigree of the game, then to have the opportunity to travel with my dad, my parents, all of my cousins and uncles and aunts, it was an opportunity we couldn't pass up to celebrate the amazing year," Derrieux said.
"I got three noise complaints this year from my apartment, strictly from Mizzou games. It was an amazing year and an amazing experience," Derrieux said.
Many fans also headed to the West Plaza at AT&T Stadium for the Goodyear Huddle Up Fan Fest and Battle of the Bands Thursday afternoon.
Both bands played alongside their cheerleaders, color guard and feature twirlers.
Johnny Crawford, a Marching Mizzou dad, came with his family to watch his son play at the Battle of the Bands and Cotton Bowl.
"It's a lifelong thing for me, and so, it's been a joy watching my kid go there and being able to perform in the marching band as well," Crawford said.
A winner wasn't announced, but they said the real deciding factor would be made Friday on the field.
Mizzou and Ohio State fans enjoyed tons of interactive games, photo opportunities, food and drinks and even throwing around a football.
The Cotton Bowl Classic between Mizzou and Ohio State will start at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
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