Texas heads to Columbia on Saturday with a clear problem in front of it: Missouri brings too many ways to hurt a defense.
The No. 10 Longhorns and No.
19 Tigers both enter the 11 a.m. CT SEC matchup at 6-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play, which gives this one real weight in the postseason picture.
Missouri’s offense is built around balance, and Texas will have to sort through a backfield led by a 1,000-yard runner, a steady quarterback and two receivers who can turn ordinary gains into big ones.
Jamal Roberts is the first name Texas has to circle.
The Missouri running back has piled up 1,005 rushing yards in eight games, putting him among the country’s top rushers. He was a force against Arkansas last Saturday, running for 138 yards on 23 carries and adding three catches for 20 yards.
Roberts also scored twice in Missouri’s 34-10 win, including a 10-yard touchdown reception. His ability to shake tackles and keep churning out yards after contact makes him the kind of runner that can wear on a defense.
Then there’s Austin Simmons, who has given Missouri the kind of control every offense wants at quarterback.
The former Ole Miss quarterback has thrown for 1,935 yards this season with 16 touchdown passes and only two interceptions. Against Arkansas, he went 20 of 31 for 179 yards and two scores without a pick. Simmons may not be the most dangerous runner Texas has seen at quarterback, but his poise and decision-making make Missouri especially tough when the ground game is rolling.
Simmons has plenty of help on the outside, starting with Cayden Lee.
Lee has emerged as Missouri’s top receiver and Simmons’ go-to target. The former Ole Miss standout has 730 receiving yards through eight games, and he caught six passes for 78 yards against Arkansas.
His route running and ability to create after the catch make him a problem in the middle of the field, where he can keep drives alive. Texas cannot let Lee keep stacking third-down conversions.
Donovan Olugbode gives Missouri another layer.
He has 593 receiving yards and has built a reputation for finishing plays in the end zone. Against Arkansas, Olugbode caught five passes for 50 yards and scored on a 15-yard touchdown that helped Missouri take control in the third quarter. If Lee draws most of the defensive attention, Olugbode could be the one who finds space against single coverage.
The wild card is Ahmad Hardy.
The All-American running back returned against Arkansas after missing Missouri’s first seven games. Hardy rushed for 1,648 yards in 2025 before an offseason shooting disrupted his preparation for this season.
His workload was limited in his return, but his presence gives Missouri another back who can change the game in a hurry. Texas cannot treat him like a background piece on Saturday.
That is what makes this offense tricky for the Longhorns. Texas is allowing about 98 rushing yards per game, so the front has been one of the toughest groups to run against. Even so, Missouri’s balance forces a choice: crowd the box to slow Roberts and risk giving Lee and Olugbode cleaner matchups, or play more coverage and leave room for the run game to breathe.
Texas’ best path is to force Missouri into a one-dimensional approach, get Simmons into obvious passing downs and keep explosive plays off the board. If the Longhorns can do that, they’ll have a real shot to quiet one of the SEC’s more dangerous offenses and improve their position in the race.
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