by Pat Marrujo for DieHardDevil.com

In their season opener, Missouri limped to a disappointing 17-6 victory over Miami (OH). Their performance raised eyebrows as the SUN DEVILS prepare for Friday’s highly anticipated “BLACKOUT” game at Sun Devil Stadium.

Here are 8 things we know from Missouri’s last game.

8. Missouri Struggles on 3rd Down

In 2010, Missouri was fairly average on third down. They converted 38 percent of their tries, good enough for 74th nationally.

Against Miami (OH), the Tigers only managed to convert 3/13 third down attempts.

This could prove costly for Missouri because the Sun Devil defense has ranked in the top ten nationally on third downs in each of the past two seasons.

This week, the Tigers could find more trouble putting long drives together against a more formidable defense. If Missouri wants to move the ball against Vontaze Burfict and company, they will need to make big plays.

7. Penalties Could be an Issue

The signs show this could be an issue for Missouri. Repeat, for Missouri.

Your Sun Devils committed just 4 penalties for 40 yards last week, a drastically reduced mark from last season’s average. In their opener against Miami (OH), Missouri committed 9 penalties for 81 yards.

6. Starters, Will Ebner and Jacquies Smith, Will be Out

While the Sun Devils have had a news-worthy run of injuries, the Tigers are starting 2011 with their own issues.

Left Tackle Elvis Fisher, Center Travis Ruth, receiver Jerrell Jackson, tight end Eric Waters and receiver Gahn McGaffie are all expected to be out for the second game in the a row on Friday. However, there are two more important names that have been added to that list since Missouri’s opener.

Starting middle linebacker, Will Ebner, and starting defensive end, Jacquies Smith will not step on KUSH FIELD Friday night.

This is a huge blow to the Missouri defense and will result in some shuffling around in the Tiger’s front seven.

5. Missouri Fans are Losing Confidence

Weeks ago, Tiger fans started to find their way onto ASU message boards. Missouri trash talk and score predictions were rampant across these sites.

This week however, Tiger fans have faded and hushed in Sun Devil forums. On Missouri websites, expectations have changed. Numerous fans who looked forward to beating a PAC12 contender in ASU, now believe their trip to Tempe could be a problem.

4. Missouri has a Great Defense

Last season, the Tigers only gave up 16.1 points per game, good enough for 6th in the nation.

Against Miami (OH), the Missouri defense did exactly what they were supposed to do. They dominated the entire game and only gave up a single touchdown and 270 total yards.

Missouri’s D bears a lot of responsibility against Brock & Sun Devil scorers, if their offense doesn’t show large improvement from last week.

3. QB, James Franklin, is No Blaine Gabbert

In 2009 the Sun Devils said goodbye to a very talented Quarterback in Rudy Carpenter. Then in came Danny Sullivan to fill his shoes. From the start Sullivan was in a tough spot and proved to be a step down in talent.

Missouri is experiencing a similar situation this season. Blaine Gabbert left as one of the best quarterbacks in school history, and now sophomore, James Franklin, has come in to lead the offense.

Despite passing for 129 yards and a touchdown on 17/26 throwing in their opener, Tigers fans have been tentative in embracing Franklin.

He has a questionable arm and tends to float balls on passes to the sidelines. If he continues that against the fast Arizona State defense, interceptions will come.

Franklin’s best asset is his ability to make plays with his feet. In the opener he ran for 72 yards on 14 carries.

However, ASU’s defense is likely too fast to let a mobile quarterback beat them. If Franklin decides to run, he could have a hard introduction to Sun Devils #7 and #2. Burfict and Elder hope the Missouri QB makes that move.

2. These are Not the 2010 Missouri Tigers

The Tigers have an experienced team in 2011, and lost arguably their two most talented players to the NFL last offseason: Blaine Gabbert and Aldon Smith. Those losses make this a very different team.

In 2010, the Tigers beat Miami (OH) by the score of 51-13. Last week, things went differently.

Missouri had only a 10-6 lead until the fourth quarter. They need some of that 2010 magic to have a better start against the Sun Devils this Friday.

1. The Sun Devils Will Beat Missouri

The single most important thing we have learned about the Tigers in week #1 is that the Sun Devils can and will beat Missouri.

Be there Friday and be in Black.