No. 14 Missouri (4-1, 1-1 SEC) hosts Texas A&M (3-2, 1-2 SEC) at 11 a.m. Saturday at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in an SEC matchup that offers the Tigers a chance to build on last week’s statement victory while the Aggies seek to regain their footing after an uneven start.
The game airs on ABC from a sold-out venue, extending Missouri’s program-record sellout streak to 24 games.
Missouri enters with clear momentum after dismantling then-No. 8 Florida 45-17 on Homecoming. Quarterback Austin Simmons completed 23 of 30 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, while running back Jamal Roberts rushed for 211 yards and three scores. The Tigers also limited Florida’s standout back Jadan Baugh to just 13 yards on 12 carries.
Simmons, a transfer from Ole Miss, has been efficient through five starts: 93 of 137 for 1,287 yards, 13 touchdowns, and zero interceptions (67.9 percent completion). Roberts has 606 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the season. Missouri’s defense has been particularly effective against the run, a strength that should be tested by Texas A&M’s backfield.
Texas A&M arrives looking for consistency. Ranked No. 8 in the preseason Associated Press poll after reaching the College Football Playoff a year ago, the Aggies dropped consecutive games to Kentucky (31-21) and LSU (35-6) and fell out of the rankings. They rebounded with a 34-7 win over Arkansas last week.
Senior quarterback Marcel Reed has completed 85 of 149 passes for 908 yards, six touchdowns, and four interceptions while adding 170 rushing yards and two scores. The Aggies’ ground game features contributors including Rueben Owens and freshman K.J. Edwards. Texas A&M averages 31.8 points per game while allowing 18.6.
The series favors the visitors in recent years. Texas A&M leads the all-time matchup 11-7 and has won the last three meetings, including a 38-17 victory in Columbia last season and a 41-10 decision in College Station in 2024. Mike Elko’s Aggies have generally controlled the recent head-to-head under both Elko and Eli Drinkwitz.
Drinkwitz, in his seventh season, has guided Missouri to a 33-11 record since the start of 2023 and holds a 50-30 mark in Columbia. He has yet to defeat Elko in their meetings as head coaches. Elko, in his third year at Texas A&M, owns a 22-9 record there and is undefeated in October as the Aggies’ head coach.
Missouri is favored by roughly 3.5 points, reflecting its recent form and home-field advantage, though the total near 49.5 suggests a competitive game. The Tigers will aim to avoid a letdown after the Florida win while continuing a 27-game winning streak against unranked opponents. For Texas A&M, the trip represents an opportunity to quiet early-season questions and deliver a road result against a ranked SEC opponent.
With both teams still early in conference play and the national picture fluid, Saturday’s result in Columbia will provide a clearer read on Missouri’s trajectory and whether the Aggies can stabilize under Elko.
