Miami (Ohio) @ Missouri preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 25, 2010 ) Miami (Ohio) 13, Missouri 51

THE STORY: No. 21 Missouri has established itself as a perennial threat in the Big 12 under coach Gary Pinkel. But the Tigers haven't taken the proverbial next step as Pinkel enters his 11th season. They have a chance this year, if new sophomore quarterback James Franklin can take advantage of a loaded offense.

The Redhawks pulled off one of the greatest turnarounds in college football history, going from 1-11 in 2009 to 10-4 and MAC champions in 2010. New coach Don Treadwell's team is picked to win the MAC East.

Missouri jumped out to a 21-0 lead en route to a 51-13 blowout victory over Miami last year.

TV: Fox Sports Net. Line: Missouri -17

ABOUT MIAMI (OH) (2010: 10-4, 7-1 MAC): Don Treadwell is in his first year as coach after Mike Haywood left for Pittsburgh, only to be fired 16 days after taking the job because of domestic violence charges. Treadwell actually coached two games for Michigan State last year and inherits a roster with 17 returning starters, including junior quarterback Zac Dysert.

ABOUT MISSOURI (2010: 10-3, 6-2 Big 12): The Tigers have won 40 games over the past four years. Blaine Gabbert became the third straight Mizzou quarterback to make it to the NFL, and next in line is the dual-threat Franklin. Preseason All-America tight end Michael Egnew figures to be Franklin’s main target, but wideout T.J. Moe is also a threat. The Tigers lost five starters — including first-round pick Aldon Smith — from a defense that gave up only 16.1 points per game.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Missouri has won 21 straight non-conference regular-season games, dating back to a 45-35 loss to New Mexico in 2005.

2. Excluding state rival Cincinnati, Miami has lost 11 straight road games vs. BCS schools by an average score of 34-14.

3. Pinkel, who coached at Toledo in the 1990s, is 8-2 against his old conference, the only losses coming in 2001 and 2002 to Urban Meyer’s Bowling Green teams.

PREDICTION: Missouri 44, Miami 21. It’s a tall order asking Treadwell to compete at Missouri in his first game with Miami, but the Redhawks have enough talent to put some points up on the Tigers.