In preparation for Saturday’s non-conference finale between Indiana and Missouri, Saturday Down South is taking a look at the key matchup that may decide the showdown between the Hooisers and Tigers.

Missouri front seven vs. Indiana RB Tevin Coleman

Tevin Coleman is first in the country in rushing yards per game (218.5) and is among the national leaders in rushing average (9.3 yards per carry). Meanwhile, Missouri has allowed two 100-yard rushers in three games.

Will this mean trouble for the Tigers defense?

Indiana’s offense is used to needing to put up 30-plus points just to compete. The Hooisers have put up plenty of points in the last few seasons and present a balanced offense, with quarterback Nate Sudfeld nearly sporting a 3/1 career touchdown to interception ratio.

Coleman is a big-play threat when he rushes off the edge, with four runs of 30-plus yards in two games, and the Indiana offensive line is one of the better groups in major college football.

“You have to make sure you contain the great skill they have,” coach Gary Pinkel said of Sudfeld and Coleman during Wednesday’s conference call. “That’s not going to stop them. You’ve got to contain them, you’ve got to tackle well, limit big plays and all that they do great.

“We have a great challenge ahead of us.”

UCF struggled to run between the tackles against Missouri on Saturday, but did have success with jet sweeps, end-arounds and other plays designed to get the ball to the edge in a hurry.

The Tigers have relied on one of the best defensive lines in the country to mask some of the issues in the back seven, and with decent success.

This isn’t a new matchup. Coleman entered last season’s game averaging more than eight yards per carry through three weeks as well.

Coleman had an OK game — Indiana put up 28 points, but lost by 17 — but Missouri prevented him from generating any huge plays. As you see in the highlight video, Coleman produced a few nice gains catching the ball or running to the edge unencumbered, beating would-be tacklers in 1-on-1 matchups.

But Missouri’s defensive front too often got penetration and stonewalled Coleman in the backfield.

The linebackers, particularly Michael Scherer, played much better against UCF. But overall, the back seven haven’t played like an SEC division championship group. If Coleman is left to dodge tacklers at the second and third levels, he’ll get free for some big gains.

But the entire onus can’t be on the defensive line. Missouri will need its run defense against Georgia, Arkansas, South Carolina and others later this season.

At this juncture, the team would take a repeat performance. Allowing long running plays like the team did against South Dakota State and Toldeo isn’t cutting it, but giving up a handful of good runs inside of 15 yards is OK against a talented back like Coleman.