Jim Connell/News-Leader
Preseason practices begin Thursday for the Missouri State football team.
The Bears are coming off a 4-7 campaign in 2016.
Outside of the program, expectations are not high for the upcoming season. Missouri State was picked to finish ninth out of 10 teams in the Missouri Valley Football Conference preseason poll.
Inside the program, the Bears are hoping for a breakthrough in coach Dave Steckel's third season at the helm.
Here are five questions to consider as fall camp begins: