With SEC play right around the corner, the Missouri Tigers will look to wrap up their non-conference slate with a win over Arkansas State on Saturday night.
How to watch Arkansas State vs. Missouri: Preview, TV schedule, odds and more
The Tigers look to wrap up non-conference play with a perfect 4-0 record.
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
The Tigers took their shots last season as they made their SEC debut, and a ton of injuries derailed any chance they had at making another bowl game under Gary Pinkel. With quarterback James Franklin and the offensive line healthy once again, the Tigers have looked like the Tigers of old, ranking eighth in the nation in scoring.
Arkansas State currently sports a 2-2 record. They were blown out by Auburn earlier in the year and are coming off a tough 31-7 loss to Memphis.
The numbers
Rankings and records: Mizzou received a couple of votes in the top-25 polls earlier in the week. A win over the Red Wolves won’t be enough to get a number next to their name, but it will be another step in the right direction.
Vegas: Missouri opened as a 21-point favorite, according to OddsShark. The over/under opened at 62.5.
Weather: Game time temperatures are expected to be in the mid-60s, though rain is a possibility with scattered thunderstorms in the area.
Three names to know
James Franklin: Franklin is a three-year starter at MU and is off to a solid start thus far, throwing for 873 yards and rushing for 182 more. He doesn’t posses great arm strength, but is coming off a huge game against Indiana in which he threw for 343 yards in a 45-28 win.
Dorial Green-Beckham: The nation's former No. 1 high school recruit, Green-Beckham is on his way to a big sophomore campaign with a team-high 17 receptions, 239 yards and two touchdowns. At 6'5 and 230 pounds, he's a huge target in the red zone for the Tigers.
David Oku: The ASU senior running back is having a fine season so far, rushing for 291 yards and four touchdowns on 65 carries. He's also caught nine passes out of the backfield for 93 yards.
Two things at stake
Missouri needs to win on Saturday as a brutal stretch of their schedule is coming up. They’ll play three ranked foes in the month of October, and with their next two games coming away from Faurot Field, Pinkel’s bunch needs to work out any remaining kinks before the real challenges begin. As for Arkansas State, this is arguably the biggest game remaining on its schedule. The Red Wolves come in as heavy underdogs, and a win would be a huge momentum booster for the program.
How to witness
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET. Comcast Sports South will televise the game. TV listings can be found here.
Radio: KTGR 1580-AM, 100.5 FM will have the game in Columbia. 107.9 KFIN will have the game across Jonesboro.
Online streaming: ESPN3
Further reading
Be sure to check out Rock M Nation for the latest on Mizzou football.
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