For the Tigers, it's an obvious adjustment.

 

"Everything is pushed up a day ... Monday is Tuesday for us and so on," Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. "We've planned on this for some time. We did the same thing when we played Nevada in 2009. We had everything in place so we could get it done. It was nice they didn't have class (Monday, Labor Day), so they could get a little rest and get ready to go."

 

The Sun Devils are a touchdown favorite.

"We're excited about the opportunity to play a really good Arizona State team," Pinkel said. "(Arizona State coach) Dennis Erickson is a friend of mine, he was at Wyoming when I was coaching at Washington and I have great respect for him."

 

It's a mutual admiration society.

 

"You take Missouri as a whole, and what they’ve done ever since Gary has been there, and they’re right atop one of the better conferences in the country," Erickson said during his weekly press conference. "I’ve always had a great respect for them; they play very disciplined.

 

"They can run and they’re a top-25 football team. I don’t know what else you could say ... they’re a really good football team."

 

Perhaps, but Missouri's ranks are thinning faster than a middle-aged man's hair.

  

Among the wounded Tigers who will miss this game --- and these are just some of the most recent injuries --- are center Travis Ruth (achilles), defensive end Jacquies Smith (elbow), linebacker Will Ebner (ankle), receiver Jerrell Jackson (hamstring), tight end Eric Waters (hamstring) and tailback Kendial Lawrence (leg).

 

"Injuries are part of football, we understand this," Pinkel said, "and we have a few more right now than we've had in the past at this time. But we also take the position that it's part of the game and you still have to go out and play your best and be your best, and that's what we expect to do."

 

Playing in Tempe, the Tigers have been there, done that. They hope the result will be better than last December, when Missouri lost 27-24 to Iowa in the Insight Bowl.

 

"It wasn't a good outcome," Missouri defensive tackle Terrell Resonno said. "We're playing a very good team, but it should be a fun game in prime time. It will be the only football game on, so this will be our chance to show the nation what Missouri football is all about."

 

While the Tigers were taking care of Miami (Ohio) 17-6 last Saturday, the Sun Devils drilled UC Davis 48-14. Junior quarterback Brock Osweiler, who checks in at a basketball-worthy 6 feet, 8 inches, completed 19-of-26 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns.

"Overall, I was pretty happy with my performance," Osweiler said. "There were a few throws or plays I wish I could have back where I missed a read, but I ended the game with a 73 percent completion percentage and anytime I’m over 70, I feel like I’ve done my job and gotten the ball to the playmakers so they can move the chains and score points for us."
 
Osweiler has gotten the attention of Pinkel.
 
"He's a big, tall guy who moves well, has a good arm, good delivery and has a lot of people around him that run fast," Pinkel said. "It will be a challenge, but we're excited about it."
 
This will be test No. 2 for Missouri quarterback James Franklin. The sophomore from Corinth, Tex., cautiously took the helm of the Tigers on Saturday, rushing for 72 yards and passing for 129.

 

"James did a lot of good things," Pinkel said, "and he must continually strive to get more consistent and do more things right. That's what all quarterbacks do. And the more experience he has, the better he'll play."