Texas A&M vs Missouri kicks off Saturday with the Tigers ranked No. 14 and the Aggies looking to pick up their first marquee win of the season. Missouri (4-1, 1-1 SEC) hosts Texas A&M (3-2, 1-2 SEC) at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, with the Aggies trying to prove last week’s bounce-back victory over Arkansas was no fluke against a Missouri defense that ranks among the stingiest run-stopping units in the country.
Texas A&M Vs Missouri Game Information
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 10
- Time: 12 p.m. ET
- Venue: Memorial Stadium, Columbia, Missouri
- TV: ABC
Missouri enters ranked after a 45-17 win over then-No. 8 Florida last week, while Texas A&M is coming off a 34-7 win over Arkansas that snapped a two-game losing skid. The Aggies opened the season ranked No. 8 after reaching the College Football Playoff a year ago, but losses to unranked Kentucky and then-No. 10 LSU in consecutive weeks dropped them out of the AP Top 25.
Can Marcel Reed Keep His Turnaround Going?
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed has thrown four interceptions through five games, but he looked sharper against Arkansas, going 13 of 19 for 170 yards while adding 66 rushing yards, tying for the team lead on the ground. Reed scored on a 1-yard run that put the Aggies up 21-7 in the second quarter against the Razorbacks, and Texas A&M rushed for 231 yards as a team in that game.
Texas A&M coach Mike Elko credited Reed’s dual-threat ability for sparking the offense. “He’s gotten his confidence back, and they’re back into a rhythm offensively. You know, when he can run and pass, and make plays with his eyes downfield, he is very difficult,” Elko said, according to CBS Sports. Elko also said Reed’s legs become “a huge weapon” when he is “free and loose” in the pocket.
Reed’s full-season numbers still lag, with 85 completions on 149 attempts for 908 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions. He will need the same balance he showed against Arkansas to move the ball against a Missouri front that has given up just 2.6 yards per carry this season, a mark that ranks 12th nationally.
Can Missouri’s Defense Slow Down Another Run Game?
Missouri’s run defense was the headline against Florida, holding tailback Jadan Baugh to 13 yards on 12 carries after he had put together five straight 100-yard rushing games. Linebacker Nicholas Rodriguez piled up 11 tackles in that game and was named SEC defensive player of the week, according to CBS Sports.
Texas A&M running backs Reuben Owens II and KJ Edwards will carry the load against that front. Owens leads the Aggies with 291 yards and a touchdown on 70 carries this season. Texas A&M’s run game ranks No. 60 nationally in rushing offense, while Missouri’s run defense sits at No. 15, a gap that figures to test whatever rhythm the Aggies found against Arkansas.
How Does Austin Simmons Change The Equation?
Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons has thrown for 1,287 yards and 13 touchdowns without an interception on 137 attempts this season. Against Florida, he completed 23 of 30 passes for 340 yards and two scores. Missouri’s passing offense ranks No. 5 nationally, well ahead of Texas A&M’s pass defense, which checks in at No. 44.
Missouri receivers Cayden Lee and Donovan Olugbode give Simmons his top targets, with Lee leading the team at 35 catches for 522 yards and four touchdowns. Texas A&M’s pass rush has struggled to disrupt opposing quarterbacks, ranking last nationally in sacks, with defensive end Marco Jones leading the team with just two.
What Are The Expected Starters And Injury Situations?
No injury designations were listed for either team ahead of kickoff. Reed is expected to start at quarterback for Texas A&M, with Owens and Edwards projected to split carries behind him. Simmons is expected to start for Missouri, throwing to Lee and Olugbode, with Jamal Roberts, who has 606 yards and six touchdowns on 113 carries, projected as the lead back. Missouri edge Deaden Hopkins, who leads the team with six sacks, is expected to anchor a pass rush facing an Aggies line that has allowed 1.8 sacks per game.
By The Numbers
- Scoring offense: Missouri 37.6 points per game, Texas A&M 31.8 points per game
- Scoring defense: Missouri allows 20.0 points per game, Texas A&M allows 18.6 points per game
- Passing yards per game: Missouri 278.4, Texas A&M 188.8
- Rushing yards per game: Missouri 168.6, Texas A&M 167.4
- Third-down conversion rate: Missouri 43.28%, Texas A&M 43.24%
- Turnover differential: Texas A&M plus-5, Missouri plus-1
- Total sacks: Missouri 15, Texas A&M 5
- Total takeaways: Texas A&M 11, Missouri 3 (per seasonTotals)
What To Watch
Texas A&M leads the all-time series 11-7 and has not lost to Missouri since 2014, including a 38-17 win in College Station last season. Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz is 0-3 against the Aggies in his career, losing by an average score of 38-14, according to Yahoo Sports.
Missouri running back Jamal Roberts described the mood around the program after last week’s win. “You definitely feel mojo, you feel confidence. You feel more positive vibes in and around it when you win,” he said, per CBS Sports.
Missouri faces a potential letdown spot, coming off a big home win over Florida with a game against Ole Miss looming next week, according to Yahoo Sports. Texas A&M, playing its second road game of the season, has a chance to pick up its first ranked win of the year, according to Sports Illustrated. The Aggies’ run game against Missouri’s run defense stands out as the central matchup, with Yahoo Sports noting that strength will be tested directly on Saturday.
Texas A&M enters the weekend still looking to build on last week’s performance against its win over Arkansas, which snapped a two-game slide and set up this test in Columbia.
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