GAME NOTES: The ninth-ranked Missouri Tigers try to keep in the hunt for the Big 12 North Division title this weekend, as they do battle with the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Stadium in Boulder. The Tigers enter the contest on a winning note, posting a 42-28 triumph over Iowa State this past weekend. It was the second in a row by Missouri, which improved to a solid 7-1 overall. More importantly though, the victory keeps the Tigers on the heels of Kansas for the Big 12 North title, as they stand just a half-game back of the Jayhawks (4-0) at 3-1. Missouri however, now hits the road for just the second time in its last six games, with the lone appearance during that stretch resulting in a 41-31 setback at Oklahoma. As for Colorado, it also comes into the contest on a high note following a 31-26 triumph at Texas Tech last weekend. The win put an end to a brief two-game slide and improved the Buffaloes to 5-4 overall and 3-2 in conference play. Colorado however, has yet to defeat a team from the North Division, losing to both Kansas and Kansas State, while posting a 3-0 mark versus the South. In terms of the all-time series, Missouri owns a 38-31-3 edge over Colorado and that includes a 28-13 triumph in last season's encounter in Columbia.

The Tigers possess one of the most prolific offenses in the nation this season, ranking seventh in total yards (498.6 ypg) and eighth in scoring (40.4 ppg). The unit has really thrived through the air, passing for 326.1 ypg, and it has also done a tremendous job on third downs, converting 57.0 percent of the time. Missouri though, is coming off a modest performance, for its standards, gaining just 366 total yards in a 42-28 triumph over Iowa State. Quarterback Chase Daniel put forth a solid effort in the win, completing 28- of-37 pass attempts for 250 yards and a score. For the year, Daniel has been one of the top players in the conference at his position, completing an efficient 69.9 percent of his throws for 316.6 passing ypg, with 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The versatile gunslinger is also dangerous when the ball is tucked away, as he ranks third on the team with 209 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Another strength that Daniel possesses, is his ability to spread out the ball, as four different players have caught at least 30 passes this season. Martin Rucker appears to be his go-to-guy and he leads the team with 54 catches and 591 receiving yards. Last weekend, Rucker paced the Tigers with seven catches for 66 yards and a score.

The Tigers' defense has had its moments this season, but overall the unit is giving up a way to high 399.5 total ypg. The defense has struggled versus the pass, allowing 278.2 ypg, although the unit has allowed just 10 touchdowns through the air against 11 interceptions. In last weekend's win, Missouri limited Iowa State to 389 total yards and it also scored a touchdown on a Lorenzo Williams fumble recovery in the end zone. The defense even posted three sacks, although the fact that this unit spent over 38 minutes of the game on the field has to be a bit concerning. Sean Weatherspoon guided the team with 12 stops, and Stryker Sulak chipped in with a pair of sacks. On the season, Weatherspoon leads the team with 78 tackles, while Sulak is tops on the club with five sacks.

On the offensive side of the ball, Colorado has done a respectable job this season, averaging 142.4 ypg on the ground and an even better 234.3 ypg through the air. Last weekend, the Buffaloes amassed 349 total yards, including 217 via the run, in a 31-26 win over Texas Tech. Hugh Charles led the charge, as he carried 20 times for 121 yards and a score. He also led the team with five catches that led to 26 yards and another touchdown. Since returning from injury, Charles has been terrific for the Buffaloes and he leads them with 682 rushing yards and four touchdowns. With the team dominating on the ground last weekend, quarterback Cody Hawkins simply needed to manage the offense and he did so by completing 15-of-26 pass attempts for 123 yards and two scores. The redshirt freshman and son of head coach, Dan, has struggled with interceptions (14) this season, but overall he has done a good job in throwing for 2,090 yards and 15 scores. His main target is Scotty McKnight, who leads the club with 34 receptions to go along with 393 yards and two scores. McKnight however, wasn't much of a factor last weekend, making just one six-yard catch.

Much like their offense, the Buffaloes' defense has done a respectable job this season, holding their foes to 119.4 rushing yards and 226.6 passing ypg. The team has made up for some of those passing yards by recording 14 interceptions. Facing one of the premier passing games in the nation last weekend, Colorado gave up 431 yards through the air to Texas Tech, but it countered that by intercepting four throws and posting three sacks. Jordon Dizon accounted for one of those interceptions and he returned it 42 yards for a touchdown. Terren Wheatley also turned in a noteworthy performance, as he was the one responsible for the other three interceptions. Wheatley now has a team-best five interceptions on the season, but that isn't nearly as impressive as Dizon's national best 123 tackles in just nine games.

Missouri is an explosive and dangerous team, but it must be careful not to overlook a Colorado club which defeated Oklahoma on this same field earlier this season. Still, the Tigers simply have too many weapons for the Buffaloes to deal with and they should be able to win the game behind the accurate arm of Chase Daniel.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Missouri 31, Colorado 21