Missouri State at Tennessee-Martin

Time: 6 p.m.

Day: Thursday

Location: Hardy M. Graham Stadium

On air: OVCSports.TV

Series History: Missouri State leads 4-1

Reason to watch: The OVC is still trying to catch up to the Gateway Conference in terms of national prestige. UTM shared the league title last year with Eastern, earning its first playoff berth in school history. UTM RB Donald Chapman will end the year among the top five rushers in OVC history. Missouri State is coming off a 2-9 year in 2006, but UTM needs this win to make the OVC more credible.

UTM head coach: Jason Simpson (9-4 at UTM and overall)

MSU head coach: Terry Allen (3-9 at MSU; 98-68 overall)