South Dakota State features perhaps the best running back in FCS history in Zach Zenner.

The 6-foot, 220-pound running back needs 2,030 rushing yards to break Adrian Peterson’s FCS record.

Before we take a closer look at Zenner, let’s examine why the matchup matters.

Toledo’s David Fluellen rushed for 111 yards in a too-close-for-comfort early September tilt long forgotten by the time Missouri lined up against Auburn in the 2013 SEC Championship.

Missouri’s run defense, though not a national story, played more than a minor role in last year’s SEC East championship effort.

That’s why Tre Mason’s jaw-dropping 304 rushing yards and four touchdowns came as such a shock. The Tigers came against the No. 1 rushing offense in the country and crumbled, preventing the team from a likely BCS Championship appearance against Florida State.

Missouri finished a deceiving 49th nationally in rush defense.

That brings us to this week. Missouri’s defensive line clearly is coordinator Dave Steckel’s most reliable position group. Braylon Webb is a proven entity at safety and Aarion Penton is a bundle of potential at corner, but in general the back seven of the Missouri defense isn’t invincible. Good offenses should be able to find ways to move the ball against the Tigers, assuming the defensive line doesn’t flatten them first.

But rebooting the run defense that helped the Tigers thrive most of last season would alleviate pressure on an athletic, but developing, back seven.

Zenner will carry the ball plenty despite a pair of 6-foot-5 seniors in quarterback Austin Sumner and receiver Jason Schneider. He rushed more than 300 times in 2012 and again in 2013.

The Jackrabbits average just taller than 6-foot-3 and 289 pounds across the offensive line, where South Dakota State must replace four starters. A clear FCS playoff contender, that shouldn’t be enough against Missouri’s defensive line.

In other words, the defensive line should set the table for a green, athletic linebacker corps, which in turn will get a feisty, capable running back in their crosshairs.

“He’s an effort guy,” SDSU coach John Stiegelmeier told the Columbia Tribune of Zenner. “I don’t care whether you’re watching the game on Saturday or at practice, he always goes full speed.

“He runs hard. He’s not a wiggle guy. He’s not going to sidestep people. He can do a little bit of that, but his deal is get going full speed and play hard and try to (outrun) people to the end zone.”

In other words, the SDSU running game is potent enough to pose a greater test than a fall scrimmage, but Missouri’s productivity Saturday will be a matter of execution, not talent.

Zenner reportedly runs in the 4.5-second range for 40 yards, which isn’t slow, but he won’t break ankles. Missouri will face faster backs in SEC play. But he’ll make one decisive cut and run hard.

Again, the matchup is teed up for Missouri’s linebackers, who can gain some confidence if they fit the correct run gaps and make some solid form tackles. Michael Scherer, Kentrell Brothers and Donavin Newsom will get a chance to acclimate to game speed. Zenner will make enough plays to provide good teaching points during the week, likely without the pressure of a close game in the second half.