Measuring sticks come in all sizes.

UConn faces a gigantic one Saturday on national television.

The Huskies play their first road game of the season against their first top 25 opponent in No. 22 Missouri. Kickoff is at noon at Memorial Stadium in Columbia. The first meeting between the two programs is on ESPN.

The Tigers, who belong to the mighty Southeastern Conference, come from a significantly more elite college football neighborhood than the Huskies.

UConn has an opportunity to gain more than yardage playing a spotlight non-conference game.

"ESPN picked up our game, two 2-0 teams coming in," junior linebacker Matt Walsh said. "It's putting us on a bigger stage so we're almost hungrier to help UConn succeed and get Connecticut back to a football-loving state."

It will take more than an appetite for success for the Huskies to execute a stunning upset. They've lost seven of their last eight games against ranked teams, beating No. 19 Louisville, 23-20, in triple overtime in November 2012.

The Missouri program has grown in stature since joining the SEC in 2012. The Tigers have captured two straight SEC East Division championships, gone 14-2 in conference play and won back-to-back bowl games.

"It's been really significant," Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said of the move to the SEC.

Ultimately, UConn would love to join a Power Five conference. A good performance Saturday would at the very least raise the program's profile.

The Huskies are trying to treat the game just like any other on the schedule.

"We need to stay focused on ourselves and really make it about what our program needs to do and what our positions and units need to do in this specific game," coach Bob Diaco said.

The Huskies catch a little bit of a break with the news that senior tailback Russell Hansbrough, who's closing in on 2,000 yards rushing in his career, will sit out today with a sprained right ankle.

"That's a real loss because I think he's one of the best running backs in our league," Pinkel said. "We're banged up at the position and sometimes that happens. You have to find a way to work through it."

Missouri, which regularly sends players to the NFL, has a talented roster. But two players in particular stand out.

Junior quarterback Maty Mauk is moving up the charts for career touchdowns at Missouri. He's ranked fourth with 41. He's also very elusive and dangerous when on the move.

"He's collected a lot of pelts and a lot of wins for the Tigers," Diaco said.

Pinkel considers senior Kentrell Brothers, a fast, physical linebacker, a future pro. Brothers anchors a sting defense that leads the nation in tackles for loss with 25 and allowed just 11.5 points per game. He was scary good in last week's 27-20 win over Arkansas State, recording 16 tackles and two fourth-quarter interceptions.

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter: @GavinKeefe