Missouri looks to rebound from consecutive losses when it hosts Mississippi State on Friday night in an SEC matchup with bowl positioning on the line.
The Tigers (6-3) fell 38-17 at Texas A&M last week, struggling to find consistency through the air as quarterback Matt Zollers completed just seven passes. But Missouri’s offense remains one of the nation’s most balanced units, averaging 452.3 yards per game and ranking eighth nationally in rushing at 232.3 yards per contest.
Tigers running back Ahmad Hardy, who has topped 1,000 yards, leads a ground attack well-positioned to challenge a Mississippi State defense allowing 176.2 rushing yards per game.
Missouri’s defense has been among the SEC’s best, giving up just 266.9 yards per game and ranking top-10 nationally against both the run and the pass. The unit’s ability to control possession with Missouri being fourth in the country at 33:34 time of possession could prove to be decisive.
Mississippi State (5-5) enters off a 41-21 loss to Georgia but has shown flashes offensively behind quarterback Blake Shapen and big-play receiver Brenen Thompson. The Bulldogs must improve on third down, where they rank 69th nationally, and avoid penalties after averaging more than 62 yards per game.
The turnover battle could be key as well. Mississippi State holds a plus-four margin, while Missouri sits at minus-three. A win would secure bowl eligibility for the Bulldogs, while Missouri aims to halt its skid and slide back into the College Football Playoff rankings.
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