The Tigers will be doing their best impression of a rain dance in Brisbane on Friday night as they stare down the barrel of their first Sheffield Shield defeat of the season.
While rain is forecast around the Gabba on the final day, only a complete washout appears likely to save the competition leaders after another disappointing batting performance left Queensland on the brink of a commanding victory.
Forced to follow on after being bundled out for just 133 in their first innings, Tasmania showed greater resistance on day three but were eventually dismissed for 233 on the stroke of stumps, leaving the Bulls needing just 19 runs for victory on Saturday.
Having conceded a 215-run first-innings deficit after Queensland amassed 348, Tasmania managed to occupy the crease for longer periods in its second innings but was unable to stem a steady flow of wickets or build a total capable of seriously challenging the hosts.
Another top-order collapse saw Teague Wyllie, Tim Ward, skipper Jordan Silk and Beau Webster all dismissed before lunch, leaving the Tigers facing an uphill battle to extend the contest into the final day.
Caleb Jewell (44) again showed plenty of application, occupying the crease for 130 deliveries, but was unable to convert his patient knock into the substantial innings Tasmania desperately needed.
It was Nikhil Chaudhary, inserted into the match on Thursday as a replacement for the unwell Ben McDermott, who provided the strongest resistance with a fighting 63.
Chaudhary combined with Matt Kuhnemann (32) for a 91-run seventh-wicket partnership which briefly raised hopes of an unlikely fightback as the pair frustrated the Queensland attack.
However, those hopes were extinguished when both batters fell in consecutive deliveries following the introduction of the second new ball, leaving Tasmania's lower order with the task of extending the innings.
An unbeaten 22 from Riley Meredith ensured the Bulls would at least have to bat again, but with just 19 runs required and a full day remaining, Tasmania's hopes of escaping with a draw now rest almost entirely on the Brisbane weather.
The Tigers will return to the Gabba on Saturday hoping the forecast rain arrives before Queensland can complete what would be Tasmania's first defeat of the Shield campaign.