SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Illinois State's homecoming football game was Oct. 17.

Yet for the Redbirds, homecoming is a gift that keeps on giving.

ISU will provide the opposition on homecoming for a third straight road game Saturday in a 1 p.m. Missouri Valley Football Conference contest against Missouri State at Plaster Field.

"Hopefully some day we'll talk people out of having us for homecoming," Redbirds' coach Brock Spack said. "Until you get better, that doesn't change. We'll get better."

While ISU (3-4, 2-2 in the Valley) looks to turn its final four games into a winning season, Missouri State (5-3, 3-2) could be in position for a playoff berth if the Bears close the regular season with three wins.

"They are a hot football team right now," said Spack. "They are a much better team than they were a year ago."

While the Bears still utilize a spread offense led by three-year starters in quarterback Cody Kirby and tight end Clay Harbor of Dwight, the Missouri State defense has exhibited marked improvement since shifting from a 4-3 to a 3-4 alignment.

"We're a little better football team on both sides of the ball," Bears' coach Terry Allen said. "But we're drastically better on defense."

Missouri State is surrendering 21.4 points per game after a 35.5 mark in 2008.

"They rely on their linebackers to make a lot of plays," said ISU tight end Cody White. "Their three down linemen are pretty tough. That's maybe the toughest part of their defense. They play hard and they play fast."

The Bears' offense is scoring 18.5 points, almost six fewer than last season.

"It comes down to focus and details," said Harbor, who has 39 receptions for 505 yards. "We have to eliminate drive-ending mistakes, and we've had some turnovers in critical spots."

ISU is last in the Valley in total defense and rushing defense.

"I think they've got staff dissension right now whether they want to run it or throw it," joked Redbird defensive coordinator Phil Elmassian. "We're averaging two long passes and two long runs. If we cut that in half, that gives us a chance."

ISU leads the Valley in passing offense behind redshirt freshman quarterback Matt Brown and senior wide receiver Eyad Salem.

"They are playing excited. That's the biggest thing I notice," Allen said. "Their coaches have them fired up, and Brown does a nice job."

On the road

Illinois State at Missouri State

Time: 1 p.m. Saturday

Broadcast: WJBC-AM (1230)