Texas A&M got itself moving again last week with a win over Arkansas, but the test waiting in Columbia looks a lot steeper. The Aggies head to No. 14 Missouri on Saturday, and after the Tigers handled Florida in convincing fashion, this one feels like a real measuring stick for both teams.
To get a better read on Missouri, we talked with Sammy Stava of Rock M Nation, SB Nation’s Missouri site. The mood around the Tigers, he said, is about as good as you’d expect after a Top 10 win.
“Mizzou fans are feeling pretty good, I’d say, and how can you not after a Top 10 win against Florida on Homecoming. Bouncing back after the Mississippi State loss provides new hope, and the victory over the Gators has the potential to be a season-changing win.”
A big reason for that optimism is the arrival of Ole Miss transfer Austin Simmons, who has given Missouri something it badly lacked a year ago. Stava pointed to the way Simmons has changed the passing game and settled in quickly.
“Austin Simmons elevates Mizzou’s passing game, which seriously struggled last season with Beau Pribula at QB. Yes, Simmons lost his starting job to Chambliss at Ole Miss last year - but that was due to injury.
Now, we’re seeing Simmons’ elite arm talent - which was his strength coming in. The question coming in was could Simmons limit his mistakes - and so far, he’s thrown zero interceptions.
He’s thriving under quarterbacks coach Garrett Riley (former Clemson OC) and establishing chemistry with his friend and former Ole Miss WR Cayden Lee - who is emerging as Mizzou’s go to receiver.”
Missouri’s offense has also found help in the backfield. With All-American running back Ahmad Hardy out, backup Jamal Roberts has stepped into the lead role and just turned in a huge game against Florida. Stava also highlighted another target in the passing game and a key defender.
“Mizzou’s offense is clearly missing All-American running back Ahmad Hardy, but backup RB Jamal Roberts has stepped up nicely in the starting role - who is coming off a 211 yard and 3 TD performance vs Florida. Donavan Olugbode is another WR to watch - who has the high-level talent to make big-time plays when connecting with Simmons.
On defense, junior linebacker Nicholas Rodriguez is coming off SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors and currently leads the conference with 50 tackles. ”
One of the bigger questions in this matchup is whether Eli Drinkwitz can finally solve Texas A&M. He’s 0-3 against the Aggies, and none of those games have been close. Stava believes Missouri has a better shot this time around, but he also sees why the Tigers will need to keep their edge.
“Mizzou’s win over Florida has to be a confidence booster for Eli Drinkwitz as he finally was able to breakthrough against a ranked opponent, and I just think Missouri has the offensive personnel get over the hump this year against Texas A&M, and being at home helps quite a bit.
On the other hand, I respect Elko’s numbers against Drinkwitz, and even though the Aggies come in at 3-2 - they’re still a talented roster and were ranked highly in the preseason for a reason.”
The betting line has been tight, and from Missouri’s side, that makes sense. College football can flip fast from week to week, and one strong showing doesn’t erase the rest of the picture.
“I just think College Football is a week-to-week game. Can’t get too high after a win and can’t get too low after a loss.
Yes, Mizzou beat Florida - but they also struggled in a win over Troy. While we haven’t seen Texas A&M at their best yet - maybe we will on Saturday.
”
As for how it all plays out, Stava expects a tight one but thinks Missouri has enough momentum to finish the job at home.
“Elko’s performance against Drinkwitz certainly gives me pause, but I think Mizzou rides the momentum after the win over Florida. If there was ever a time to get over the hump against Texas A&M, this is the year to do it -- especially at home.
Close game all throughout but I’ll go 35-30 Missouri. ”
In Other News...
Texas A&M Has A Clear Path To Expose Missouris Biggest Problem
Missouris defense brings a defined identity into this matchup, and that gives Texas A&M a chance to attack where the Tigers can be most vulnerable. The Aggies can lean into the run game to make Missouri pay for its aggression, then look to create space downfield when the defense starts to bite. It is the kind of game where the details matter, especially because both sides have shown enough on recent film to make the chess match pretty clear before kickoff.
For Texas A&M, the path also runs through the middle downs, where staying on schedule can keep the offense ahead of Missouris pressure. If the Aggies can win those third-down snaps and connect on a few deep balls, it could force Missouri into uncomfortable adjustments and put its best defenders on an island more often than it wants. The matchup sets up as a test of whether Texas A&M can turn Missouris strengths into openings for its own offense. [Read more 🡒]
Texas A&M Fans Should Watch This SEC Transfer Fight Closely
Lane Kiffin has made it clear he is not a fan of the SECs latest transfer discussion, and that matters well beyond Baton Rouge. The conference is weighing a proposed rule that would force athletes moving from one SEC school to another to sit out a season, a sharp reversal from the 2021 change that opened the door to immediate eligibility for intra-conference transfers. For programs like Texas A&M, where roster building and retention are always part of the calculation, the outcome could shape how freely players move around the league.
Kiffins public criticism framed the issue as one of player freedom, and he also warned that a stricter SEC rule could send athletes to other conferences instead. That is the tension now sitting in front of SEC presidents: protect the leagues competitive balance or keep the door open for easy movement inside it. However they land, the decision would ripple through recruiting, retention and the transfer market in a way Aggies fans will want to follow closely. [Read more 🡒]
Texas A&M Cannot Keep Asking Marcel Reed To Save Everything
Texas A&M did leave Saturday feeling better about its offense after the showing against Arkansas, and Marcel Reed was right at the center of it. The Aggies have leaned more comfortably on the ground game than the passing attack, but the broader takeaway was less about one flashy performance than about an offense that finally looked more functional when the pieces stayed in place.
Missouri is the next test, and that is where the real question begins. The coaching staff wants the offense to keep its structure and avoid drifting back into the inconsistency that has made Reed carry too much of the load, because replicating the Arkansas production against a stronger opponent will not be nearly as simple. The Aggies have found a little momentum, now they have to prove it can hold up when the competition tightens. [Read more 🡒]