Missouri
Tigers

The Tigers haven't scored a touchdown in the second half since their final nonconference game, a win at Nevada on Sept. 25. Since then, they've played five Big 12 games, losing four, without visiting the end zone in the second half.

What's more bewildering is that Missouri's offense has been explosive, sometimes dominant, in the first half of games.

In last Saturday's 40-32 loss to Baylor -- which was rock bottom for the Tigers' rocky season -- Blaine Gabbert threw for 322 yards and led five scoring drives in six possessions in the first half. In the second half, MU experienced a near repeat of the previous week's vanishing act at Colorado: A field goal, nothing more.

"It's frustrating when you can't execute as an offense, especially when you know you can and when you've shown you can against the same team," center Tim Barnes said.

"First half, we pretty much did whatever we wanted. And then to go out there in the second half, to stall and sputter, we just kept snowballing. We didn't do anything until our backs were completely against the wall."

In the second half of their Big 12 games, the Tigers have punted or turned the ball over 29 times on 37 possessions and failed to pick up 10 yards on 23 of those drives. They've converted just 6 of 38 third downs in those games.

And now, they're facing a Kansas State team that's achieved exactly what Missouri's failed to do in recent weeks: improve over the course of a season.

With an offense that's painfully inconsistent and a defense that can't figure out if it's dominant (eight sacks, three takeaways at Colorado) or lifeless (427 passing yards against Baylor), Missouri is a team that's never been better than it was in a season-opening rout of Illinois. And that mystifies coach Gary Pinkel.

"I don't know how you can play a football game, even with an experienced team, better than that," he said Monday, reflecting on the 37-9 win over Illinois on Sept. 5. "Whatever that meant, I didn't know. Obviously, the reality of getting different guys in new positions, that kind of came to life here pretty quick."

With MU's troubling trend of its disappearing offense, Monday's interview sessions inevitably turned to the topic of halftime adjustments. Players and coaches explained repeatedly that making adjustments becomes a never-ending process on game days, not a ritual saved exclusively for halftime.

"I've always said this: If you're waiting 'til halftime to make adjustments, you're probably not a very good coach," Pinkel said.

"We're on headsets all the time. We're talking to each other in between every series. So, I've always said that's very, very, very overrated. And I'll stick with that."

--Missouri also had a change in its punt return job. CB Carl Gettis was sidelined for the second half of MU's loss to Baylor with a neck injury but is expected to return at Kansas State. His punt return duties, though, could go to WR Brandon Gerau, who's listed No. 1 on the depth chart, ahead of backup CB Kip Edwards.

--TB Derrick Washington grew up in the Kansas City area, was recruited by Kansas State and fell in love with the program. But the Wildcats never offered a scholarship. "It bothered me, but I'm glad they didn't because if they would have offered I think I would have went there," he said.

Two of his high school teammates were headed to K-State -- starting RT Clyde Aufner and backup QB Carson Coffman. Washington wanted to join them in Manhattan, Kan. "I loved it there when I went on a couple visits," he said. "But they didn't offer me, and I'm happy they didn't now. I love the position I'm in. It was a blessing from God."

SERIES HISTORY: Missouri leads Kansas State 58-31-5 (last meeting, 2008, 41-24 Missouri).

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: If the Tigers hope to win in Manhattan for just the second time since 1989, they better score plenty of points in the first half or find a solution to their second-half scoring woes. The Tigers have inexplicably shut down offensively in the second half of their conference games, falling apart during drives because of penalties, blocking breakdowns, drops or poor throws. The good news is QB Blaine Gabbert is nearly fully recovered from his sprained ankle and he's throwing the ball harder and more accurately than he was during MU's three-game losing streak.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: After a dominant performance at Colorado, the Tigers were victimized by Baylor's short passing game that carved through the Tigers for 427 passing yards. The pass rush was neutralized by Baylor's quick-hitting screen game, while breakdowns in coverage led to several long passing gains downfield. Missouri might be more suited to defend Kansas State's power running game, though the defensive line and linebackers will be challenged significantly to stop 1,000-yard rusher Daniel Thomas.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Frustration would probably be an understatement. But I've been here before. I've been frustrated before. It's not a great feeling. It's not fun losing. But you know what, our fans have a better expectation level than what they're seeing. And they should. That's my job. And I deserve to be criticized for it." -- Missouri coach Gary Pinkel.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

TB Derrick Washington -- Can the Tigers get back to running the ball effectively after nearly abandoning the tailback attack against Baylor? Kansas State likes to control the clock with its power back, but MU has a stable of backs to counter the home team's rushing offense.

DT Dominique Hamilton -- Perceived as a weak link along the Tigers' rebuilt defensive line back during the preseason, Hamilton emerged as MU's most productive D-lineman against Baylor, finishing with eight tackles, including his first sack. The more consistently Hamilton plays in the trenches, the more Missouri's dynamic linebackers can make impact plays, especially against KSU's potent running game.

PK Tanner Mills -- The senior kicker has the task of kicking off to the country's most dangerous return man in Brandon Banks, who's already returned four kickoffs for touchdowns. Is it inevitable that Banks has another long return, or two, against the Tigers? MU has the worst kickoff coverage team in the Big 12 through nine games.

ROSTER REPORT:

--FS Hardy Ricks suffered a torn ACL against Baylor that will require season-ending surgery and effectively end his MU career. The senior backup started the first game of the season, during which he intercepted Illinois QB Juice Williams, and made eight tackles in his eight games. Senior Del Howard will replace Ricks in the safety rotation.

--QB Blaine Gabbert bruised his right hand in the second half against Baylor, but it checked out OK with the MU training staff and he wasn't expected to miss any practice time or be limited in his throwing this week.

--Missouri picked up its 16th verbal commitment for the 2010 recruiting class last weekend when prep quarterback/safety Darvin Ruise pledged during his visit to Columbia. Ruise, from Glen St. Mary, Fla., is projected as a college linebacker or safety.