He entered the season being touted as a Heisman Trophy candidate, but Missouri quarterback Brad Smith has found it tougher to put up the kind of numbers that lead to award ceremonies in New York.

The junior is averaging 243 yards of offense, but that's 17 less than his output last season and 37 shy of what he averaged as a freshman.

A dangerous dual threat, Smith has run the ball just 96 times this season while trying to develop more as a pocket passer. As a freshman, he had 193 rushes, and last season had 212.

"You have to understand that a lot of people do what we do now … so that when they come to play us they are a little bit more prepared. That's why it's been a little bit more difficult to get him out in space," Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. "I think sometimes numbers can be deceiving a little bit, but I think he's like any player in our program, or coach. We are trying to get better and improve,  and I think he's doing some real good things.

"He's got a lot of games left around here and he will get better — without a question."

KEY STAT: Missouri's defense has come up with a turnover on the first possession of the Tigers' last four games. Mizzou is No. 7 nationally in turnover margin at plus 1.43 per game.

— Curt McKeever