Here’s everything you need to know about Missouri’s non-conference finale Saturday against Indiana.

When: Today
Where: Columbia, Missouri
Game Time: 4 p.m. ET
TV: SEC Network
Current Line: Missouri (-14)

Game Buzz: No one’s expecting Indiana (0-2) to give Missouri (3-0) a real challenge. But if the Hooisers can take care of the football, this could be an entertaining game. The teams combined for 73 points last season and the Vegas total for this game is 70.

SATURDAY DOWN SOUTH PREVIEWS

NO. 18 MISSOURI TIGERS

Players To Watch:

  • QB Maty Mauk
  • RB/KR Marcus Murphy
  • WR Bud Sasser
  • DE Markus Golden
  • DE Shane Ray
  • LB Michael Scherer

Keys For Missouri:

  • Develop the linebackers. The Tigers defensive line is getting national attention, and deservedly so. But if this team wants to exceed expectations for a second consecutive season, the athletic, inexperienced group of linebackers must continue to recognize their responsibilities and execute with a greater degree of detail. Right now the group sometimes abandons gaps, fails to drop into coverage fast enough or misses tackles. Overall, they haven’t played terribly, but need to be more disciplined and consistent.
  • Stay healthy. This applies every week, but Missouri faces South Carolina, Georgia and Florida in its next three outings. The Tigers’ entire season hinges on those games.
  • Avoid turnovers. Handing the ball to Indiana — especially in good field position — is a sure way to keep the game competitive. Also, Maty Mauk’s numbers have been as good as you could ask, but he could stand to avoid dangerous throws a little more often.

Glaring weaknesses to watch: Secondary in run support — Braylon Webb has been relatively quiet through three games, but he’s got the ability to provide a physical presence against the run. Most of the rest of the defensive backs have been relatively poor tacklers and haven’t been particularly aggressive in the run game.

Most interesting part of the game: The final score. Can Missouri win all four non-conference games by at least 20 points?

Team buzz: This team’s pass offense and pass rush have been very good, and in 2014, if you do those things at an elite level you have a chance to be special. Missouri has to play a Top 25 opponent before we’ll have a true understanding of this year’s team, but every week the voters and fans see them as a little more credible.

INDIANA HOOSIERS

Players To Watch:

  • QB Nate Sudfeld
  • RB Tevin Coleman
  • G Dan Feeney
  • LT Jason Spriggs
  • WR Shane Wynn
  • CB Tim Bennett
  • DL Bobby Richardson

Keys For Indiana:

  • Find a way to make stops on early downs. Indiana’s defense may cost coach Kevin Wilson his job this season. But as poor as the Hoosiers play, the team will be much better off if it’s facing third-and-10 rather than third-and-1.
  • Get Coleman to the edge untouched. Last year, Coleman popped off a few nice gains against Missouri, but too often the Tigers created unfriendly traffic in the backfield and got to the running back before he turned on the jets.
  • Take risks. If you’re Indiana, with an 0-3 start on the line before entering the Big Ten schedule, why not? If I’m Wilson, I’m dialing up a few fake punts, taking some deep shots (pass rush be darned) and sending some heavy blitzes.