Arizona State vs Missouri: Latest Spread Info, BCS Impact and Predictions

The Missouri Tigers look to avenge last week's disappointing home loss to No. 7 Georgia against the upstart Sun Devils from Arizona State.

Mizzou allowed 24 unanswered points in the final 16 minutes of its SEC debut, and will be primed to finish the job this time around. Here is everything that you need to know in getting ready for Saturday's kickoff in Columbia, with predictions of the final outcome.

When: Saturday, September 15 at 7 p.m. ET

Where: Faurot Field, Columbia, MO

Watch: ESPN 2

Listen: Arizona's KTAR 92.3 FM, according to SunDevils.com, and Missouri Radio Stations on TuneIn.com

Live Stream: WatchESPN 

Betting Line: Missouri (-6), according to Bovada

ASU quarterback Taylor Kelly won a three-man competition for the job this summer, and has displayed poise and a great feel for executing head coach Paul Graham's spread attack.

The kicker is that the Sun Devils haven't faced nearly the competition that the Tigers offer. The blowout win against Illinois a week ago was largely helped by the absence of Nathan Scheelhaase, which rendered the Fighting Illini's offense generally ineffective.

Led by opposing junior QB James Franklin, the Tigers' offense will pose more problems after a relatively successful outing against the Georgia Bulldogs. The revenge factor from Mizzou's recent disappointment should push the home team to cover the spread.

Over/Under: 52

Injury Report (via USA TODAY)

Arizona State Sun Devils

LB Brandon Magee, Head, Questionable

TE Max Smith, Back, Questionable

DT Corey Adams, Back, Questionable

LB Carlos Mendoza, Shoulder, Questionable

Missouri Tigers

OL Jake Meiners, Knee, Questionable 

BCS Implications

A bounce-back victory for Mizzou could vault them into Top 25 consideration, but they still have a long way to climb to prove they are part of the upper echelon in the SEC. It's clear that after giving Georgia a scare, they are headed in that direction.

Aside from ASU receiving votes in ESPN.com's Power Rankings, the only hope for the Sun Devils to generate some buzz is by blowing the Tigers off their home field for a second week in a row.

That's not likely to happen.

Keys to a Missouri victory

Putting the last quarter or so of the Georgia game in the rearview mirror is all the team can do at this point.

There's a possibility of a hangover from that game due to coming so close to beating a premier program.  Three turnovers in the game were costly, especially Franklin's pick that was returned to the one yard-line by Jarvis Jones in the fourth quarter.

Winning the turnover battle against the Sun Devils will be crucial, and getting off to a hot start will be key to ignite the home crowd that managed to rattle the likes of Georgia for most of last week.

Keys to an Arizona State victory

The Sun Devils have forced three turnovers in each of their first two contests, and will need to generate a similar number of mistakes from Franklin and Co. to have a chance in this one.

Maintaining their outstanding balance on offense will also be vital, and that may be achieved with manchild freshman Michael Eubank taking some snaps from the shotgun.

The backup QB has completed all six of his passes this season and thrown for two TDs, and has also scampered for two scores. He may provide the wrinkle that Arizona State needs to keep the Mizzou D off-balance and on the field for long periods of time.

Prediction

ASU can't quite rise to the occasion against a fired-up Tigers team hungry for their first home victory of the season. This relatively high-scoring affair ends up just over the projected 52-point threshold.

Final score: Missouri 35, Arizona State 20