No. 3 Texas A&M (8-0, 5-0 SEC) will face another challenge on the road, set to take on No. 22 Missouri (6-2, 2-2 SEC) in Columbia on Saturday afternoon, which will end the Aggies’ three-game road trip that includes wins over Arkansas and LSU. After the bye week, the recent CFP ranking has not fazed Elko’s focus on the task at hand.
On paper, Missouri’s defense is one of the top units in the SEC, especially on the ground, limiting opposing rushing attacks to 90.4 yards per game, and has been consistent in the secondary, allowing 155 passing yards per game. However, the Tigers will have to rely on freshman quarterback Matt Zollers against Texas A&M’s elite pass rush, led by senior Cashius Howell, who leads the SEC with 9.5 sacks.
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After losing to Vanderbilt 17-0 at home, Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz is confident that his offense will be ready, especially star running back Ahmad Hardy, who leads the SEC with 937 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. Early in games, Texas A&M’s run defense has struggled, allowing chunk gains on the ground, but it has adjusted in the second half.
While this has not resulted in a loss, Hardy is considered the best back for a reason and can exploit the Aggies early if they are not in position and plugging the gaps. It will be up to defensive tackles DJ Hicks and Albert Regis to make an impact throughout the afternoon.
However, this will be a game won or lost at the line of scrimmage, as starting quarterback Marcel Reed will depend on Texas A&M’s offensive line to protect him and allow enough time to find transfer wide receivers KC Concepcion and Mario Craver and produce explosive gains through the air.
Every week, ESPN’s FPI predictor releases its updated percentage odds, as the Aggies are still a significant favorite to pull off the road win at 56.5% to Missouri’s 43.5%, which isn’t shocking given the Tigers’ injury issues and Texas A&M’s week of rest and dominant road win over LSU.
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Texas A&M will face Missouri on Saturday, November 8, at 2:30 p.m., airing on ABC.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M Football: ESPN predicts Texas A&M vs. Missouri in Week 11
