Western Illinois @ Missouri preview

THE STORY: Despite suffering a rare non-conference loss, Missouri found a silver lining in sophomore quarterback James Franklin's play last week at Arizona State. Franklin and the Tigers return home to face a Western Illinois team that also watched its quarterback grow into the role a week ago in the Leathernecks' win over Jacksonville. Franklin threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes to add to an earlier rushing touchdown while leading the Tigers back from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit before they lost in overtime. Josh Hudson made his first start for Western Illinois last week and went 14-for-20 passing for 215 yards and three touchdowns. He completed his first eight passes. Missouri won the only previous meeting 50-20 in 2000. The Tigers are 10-0 all-time against FCS teams, including 7-0 under coach Gary Pinkel. The Leathernecks are 6-22 all-time against FBS teams, but they have lost eight straight since a win at Eastern Michigan in 2003. Western Illinois has never beaten a team from a BCS automatic qualifying conference.

TV: FSN PPV. LINE: None.

ABOUT WESTERN ILLINOIS (1-1): The Leathernecks evened their record with a 35-21 victory over Jacksonville last week after opening with a 20-6 loss to Sam Houston State. With is big game, Hudson took over the FCS lead in pass efficiency with a 199.01 rating. Hudson's favorite target is wide receiver Terriun Crump, who ranks third in FCS with 135 receiving yards per game.

ABOUT MISSOURI (1-1): The Tigers dropped out of the Top 25 after the 37-30 overtime loss at Arizona State, but Franklin looked good in his second collegiate start. He passed for 319 yards and ran for 84. The Tigers rallied from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter and had a chance to win it in regulation, but Grant Ressel's 48-yard field goal missed wide left. Missouri was without six starters against Arizona State, and they are especially thin in the backfield with senior De'Vion Moore, junior Kendial Lawrence and sophomore Marcus Murphy all out with injuries. Henry Josey was the only healthy running back last week and carried the load with 94 yards on nine carries and two receptions for 51 yards.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Last week's loss was Missouri's first in September since 2005. The Tigers had won 22 consecutive non-conference regular season games.

2. Western Illinois' .546 winning percentage (507-418-36) is the highest all-time among Division I schools in Illinois. Northern Illinois (.525) and Illinois (.520) are the other schools in the state with winning percentages.

3. Missouri's 501 yards of offense against Arizona State were its most since putting up 553 yards against Kansas in 2009.

PREDICTION: Missouri 37, Western Illinois 13 - The Tigers' young players in key roles will build off last week's learning experience and be ready to handle a dangerous FCS opponent.