The Missouri Tigers were expected to compete for an SEC East title in 2017. Instead, they are winless against FBS competition and searching for direction after getting stomped by once-hapless Purdue in Week 3. They won’t get a break Saturday; instead, they’ll host the No. 15 Auburn Tigers in a game that kicks off at 7:30 pm ET and will be broadcast live on ESPNU (live stream).

Auburn sits in the middle of the top 25, but the Tigers are still searching for a signature win to prove they belong there. They won’t get it Saturday. Missouri has suffered blowout losses to South Carolina and Purdue to fall to the tail end of the SEC power rankings. After struggling to find the gas pedal against Mercer last week, they’ll get another tune-up opportunity against Missouri — but a loss could devastate one of the SEC West’s top programs.

Time, TV channel, and streaming info

Time : 7:30 p.m. ET

: 7:30 p.m. ET Location : Faurot Field, Columbia, Mo

: Faurot Field, Columbia, Mo TV : ESPNU

: ESPNU Streaming : WatchESPN

: WatchESPN Odds: Auburn is favored by 19.5 points

Auburn at Missouri news:

Auburn’s defense employs elite athletes and challenges opponents to beat them 1-on-1.

Auburn currently ranks ninth in the country in rushing success rate allowed because not only is the blue-chip line living up to its billing, but there’s an experienced, athletic receiving corps behind it making plays. The two Williamses will spend a lot of time at or behind the line of scrimmage, so technically any play that gets past the line could go a decent distance. But this front seven is tough to beat. That’s a problem because I think the front seven will be easier for Missouri to beat than the secondary.

The historical odds of Missouri turning around its 1-2 start aren’t great.

The good news for this year’s Tigers? Two-year losing streaks don’t usually turn into three-year streaks in the annals of Missouri football history. The bad news? When they do turn into three-year streaks, they also tend to extend to four...or five...or 13. And involve a coach leaving or two or three.

Auburn is losing a former five-star defensive end to transfer.

Cowart, out of Seffner (Fla.) Armwood, was an incredible physical specimen in high school. He looked like he was a decade older than some of his high school teammates. And while he always seemed to physically look better than he played, he was still a really good player and coveted by all of the major programs in the Southeast.

Auburn’s offense improved against Mercer, even if it wasn’t totally apparent on the field.

In the gray in between, you see a quarterback that is starting to find his footing, a more balanced offensive attack and the potential for bigger things down the road. You also see a rushing attack that continues to struggle to assert it’s dominance, questionable personnel decisions and too many dadgum turnovers. Auburn’s offense made strides Saturday but there is still improvement needed across the board before this offense can put up points against some of the best defenses in the country.

Are the 2-1 Tigers still a College Football Playoff contender?

Auburn already has a loss on its record, but it's one of the best losses in college football. The Tigers gave up a mind-blowing 11 sacks against No. 2 Clemson and lost 14-6 in Week 2, but have won their other two games comfortably — albeit against Georgia Southern and Mercer. They’ll need to rack up a handful of quality wins in order to make their case to the CFP selection committee, and while Missouri probably won’t boost their resume, beating a Power 5 team is a start.

Auburn at Missouri prediction:

Missouri is due for a rebound after last week’s disappointing loss to Purdue, but it’s going to struggle to find opportunities. Auburn limited defending champion Clemson to just 14 points in a Week 2 loss and shouldn’t have a problem smothering an offense coming off a three-point performance Saturday.