• When/where: 6 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Columbia

•  TV/radio: ESPNU; KMBZ (980 AM and 98.1 FM)

•  The series: Syracuse leads 2-0

•  The line: Missouri by 4 1/2

What’s at stake

Both teams are seeking a win to become bowl eligible and extend their seasons. Missouri has reached a bowl game for seven straight seasons, and considering all the injuries the Tigers have overcome this season, a bowl bid would be an impressive testament to their character and talent.

Cheers if …

Missouri’s offense continues the strides it made during the second half of last week’s four-overtime win over Tennessee, when quarterback James Franklin teamed up with several young receivers and the Tigers outscored the high-powered Vols down the stretch.

Jeers if …

Missouri takes Syracuse for granted, comes out listless and finds itself trailing and needing to mount another comeback to win. Missouri is probably better than Syracuse, but the Tigers can be beat if they don’t play hard for 60 minutes.

Three things about Syracuse

1 Syracuse has won three of its last four games, including an upset over previously undefeated Louisville last week.

2 Despite a 5-5 record, the Orange is still in the hunt to win the Big East. With a win against Temple next week and losses by Louisville and Rutgers, Syracuse would finish first in the conference at 5-2.

3 Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib is the first Syracuse player to pass for 3,000 yards in a season. He is also the Big East’s career completions leader.

Key matchup

Missouri’s front seven vs. Syracuse’s backfield: Nassib is capable of picking apart a defense if he has time. It will be key for Missouri’s front seven to not only get pressure on him, but also contain running back Jerome Smith, who has rushed for more than 100 yards in the last four games. If those two get rolling, Missouri will find itself in a shootout — and given the Tigers’ inconsistent offense, that’s not optimal.

Terez A. Paylor’s pick: Missouri 34-24

Syracuse has tended to turn the ball over on the road against nonconference opponents, which plays right into the hands of Dave Steckel’s opportunistic defense, which has forced a turnover in 28 straight games. The best guess here is that the Tigers’ offense continues to roll, and the defense causes enough havoc to keep the Orange in check.