Missouri fans probably know by now which color they’re going to wear to the Tigers home game against Connecticut on Saturday.

That’s because the Mizzou athletics department is calling for fans to “Tiger Stripe” Faurot Field, with alternating sections designated for black and gold apparel. Mizzou tried this for the first time last year for the Vanderbilt game, a contest in which the Tigers looked ugly on offense but kept an even more hapless Commodores attack virtually silent

Almost a year later, Missouri prepares for its second Tiger Stripe game in a similar offensive predicament while preparing for a similar opponent. Like Vanderbilt did last year (and probably will this year), Connecticut seems destined to go winless in its conference (The American) in large part because of its offensive woes.

The Huskies were fourth from last among all FBS teams in total offense last season, and they haven’t looked much better despite winning their first two games of 2015 and hiring a new offensive coordinator. Connecticut scored a combined 42 points in home games against Villanova and Army.

Connecticut plays a slow game, averaging 1.94 plays per minute while it tries to win the time of possession battle. While that likely benefits young Huskies quarterback Bryant Shirreffs (68.9 completion percentage), it also means Missouri’s young defensive line will have more time to recover between plays.

Possessing the ball for long periods of time on offense usually comes with a strong ground attack, and Connecticut doesn’t have one. The Huskies haven’t completed a play for 20 or more rushing yards this season, while top RB Ron Johnson is averaging just 2.6 yards per carry. Suddenly, the loss of Russell Hansbrough for Missouri on Saturday doesn’t look so bad when compared to Connecticut’s rushing problems.

On the other side of the ball, Connecticut’s defense ranks in the top 40 nationally in terms of points per game allowed, but it’s really hard to take much away from that against the likes of Villanova and Army. You could say the same for Missouri’s defense, but at least the Tigers defense looked good in a road game last week.

This will be the Huskies first road test of 2015, and their yards per play allowed (5.2) hints at more points surrendered against an SEC team like Missouri.

CONNECTICUT HUSKES CLOSER LOOK

Top player, offense: Noel Thomas, Jr., WR — Shirreffs’ top target, Thomas has seven receptions for 122 yards in two games.

Top player, defense: Marquise Vann, Sr., LB — Had a team-high 105 tackles last season and can help in coverage from his outside spot .

Top player, special teams: The kickoff team — Connecticut allowed an exceptional 15.5 yards per kickoff last season, which was second-best in the country, and are still close to that average this season. The Huskies punter and kicker (who has missed two extra points already) haven’t looked great, but Missouri returners could be frustrated on kickoffs.