Missouri’s running game is an overlooked and important asset to the Tigers, particularly in 2015.

One season after finishing second in the SEC East to Georgia in terms of rushing yards per game, Mizzou again will rely on the ground attack.

The team may feature as many as five experienced senior starters along the offensive line.

Meanwhile, “experienced” is the last word you’ll see anyone plant as a label for this year’s pass-catchers. (Tight end Sean Culkin and his inconsistent hands is the leading returning receiver, and he sat out most of spring practice due to injury.)

Despite the chance that Missouri’s rush offense could excel this fall, there are plenty of questions and uncertainties surrounding the backfield. Here are the most pressing:

1. WILL RUSSELL HANSBROUGH MAINTAIN HIS EFFECTIVENESS AS THE LONE ALPHA?

One of seven SEC running backs to top 1,000 yards in 2014, Hansbrough also is the third-leading active rusher in the conference, behind only Arkansas’ backfield duo.

In fact, Hansbrough and Marcus Murphy resembled the pair of Razorbacks in ’14. Murphy fell just 76 yards short of giving Mizzou a duo of 1,000-yard rushers, and the two helped keep one another fresh. Both Hansbrough and Murphy were banged up or tired at points last season.

While Arkansas returns both its premier backs, Hansbrough must go it alone in 2015. He handled last year’s 216 touches very well, producing 5.3 yards per play and 10 touches. The team will count on him even more this fall with a questionable passing game and less proven help among the rest of the backs.

2. CAN MORGAN STEWARD EVER EMERGE FROM HIS BIZARRE HIP INJURY?

Before Steward strained his hip last August, Missouri appeared ready to install him as Hansbrough’s oft-used backup, which would’ve allowed Murphy to play more as a slot receiver.

Instead, the Tigers announced Steward as “day-to-day.” But he hasn’t practiced since suffering the injury. After spring practice, coach Gary Pinkel seemed to indicate that Steward could return to the field this summer in preparation for fall practice. But as of early July, there’s still no word on his condition.

3. HOW MUCH CAN JUCO TRANSFER CHASE ABBINGTON CONTRIBUTE RIGHT AWAY?

After failing to qualify academically in 2013, Abbington finally will put on a Mizzou uniform this August for fall practice. With three years to play three seasons, and some concerns with backfield depth, Abbington should play immediately.

While not a facsimile to Murphy, reports indicate that Abbington’s speed, pass-catching ability and open-field elusiveness make him a strong candidate to assume a similar role within the offense. (Murphy caught 50 passes in four seasons at Missouri.)

Some recruiting analysts have questioned whether Abbington is prepared to succeed between the tackles and in tight spaces at the SEC level. Missouri would like to find a role for him within the offense this fall if he’s capable.

4. WILL REDSHIRT FRESHMAN TREVON WALTERS (ACL) MISS THE ENTIRE SEASON?

Mizzou has maintained optimism that Walters will be able to play at some point in 2015.

But it seems very unlikely he’ll be ready for the start of the season after tearing his ACL. Combine that with the fact that he will have missed so much practice time and that he’s a redshirt freshman and it’s difficult to project a big impact for Walters in ’15.

If he misses most or all of the season, it’s possible that former walk-on Tyler Hunt or true freshmen Marquise Doherty or Ryan Williams could grab some stray carries.

5. HOW DOES ISH WITTER FIT INTO ALL OF THIS?

Witter exited spring practice as the team’s consensus backup.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Mizzou’s coaches voted him as the most improved running back on the team after spring ball, even though he rushed 15 times for just 11 yards in the final exhibition game.

While Hansbrough is a candidate to rush for more than 1,000 yards again, Witter seems more like a placeholder. He did carry 27 times for 101 yards last season, mostly in garbage time.

Ideally, Steward is healthy and/or Abbington is productive, relegating Witter to third-back status for ’15. But Witter is healthy, familiar with the offense and ready to go. That could be enough to propel him into the No. 2 rushing spot on the team.