Will a punchless Missouri offense have any tricks for Mississippi State?

Just how bad is Missouri's offense right now? The Tigers are averaged four points per game the last month and have not scored a touchdown since Oct. 3. 

Mizzou was hoping the return of junior quarterback Maty Mauk would spark the offense, but the same week Mauk returned from suspension, he was suspended for the remainder of the season following an alleged incident at a local bar. 

Forced to continue playing true freshman Drew Lock under center, Missouri will get a shot at turning around the offense Thursday against an improving Mississippi State offense. 

“They’ve been playing (Lock) for a couple weeks now,” State head coach Dan Mullen said. “They’re going to run their system. They’re going to do what they do. It’s not like they’ve completely changed who they are.”

“We showed them what we called 14 touchdowns that they had scored, that on the chalkboard the offense was behind the defense," Diaz said. “We know for us to have any type of success, we can’t let those things happen because the odds are their level of execution will improve.” 

With their backs against the wall and coming off a bye week, expect the Tigers to throw everything they have to save the season in attempt to earn a victory. If Missouri can get the win at home, they will have three opportunities to capture a final win to become bowl eligible.