Missouri to face stiffer competition, starting with Oklahoma State

Missouri tight end Michael Egnew and Iowa State defensive back Ter'Ran Benton reach for a pass during Saturday afternoon's game at Faurot Field.
Missouri tight end Michael Egnew and Iowa State defensive back Ter'Ran Benton reach for a pass during Saturday afternoon's game at Faurot Field.

COLUMBIA - There were a lot of positives to Missouri's 52-17 Homecoming win Saturday against Iowa State.

The Tigers picked up their first conference win, they beat a Football Championship Subdivision team for the first time since Sept. 3 and appeared to fix many of the issues that had plagued them in the last month.

But one thing Saturday's game could not do was measure where Missouri is at the halfway point of the season.

The real measurement of progress could begin this week when Missouri (3-3), takes on fifth-ranked and 6-0 Oklahoma State (11 a.m. FX-TV) Saturday at Faurot Field.

The trend of trying to figure out what type of a team Missouri has become will likely continue each of the next four weeks. The Tigers could be underdogs each week until the season finale with Kansas. Missouri opens as a 6-point underdog this week.

"It's always exciting to play an opponent that's going to be really good because it's something that can motivate me, and us as a team, so we can play better and step up to the challenge," Missouri quarterback James Franklin said.