Ahead of No. 3 Texas A&M’s (8-0, 5-0 SEC) Week 11 road test vs. No. 22 Missouri (6-2, 2-2 SEC) on Saturday afternoon, the Aggies were positioned as the 3-seed in the first edition of the College Football Playoff rankings, which, caused some in the media to look at A&M’s accomplishments this season compared to 2-seed Indiana and 1-seed Ohio State.
Still, this ranking doesn’t really matter with four games remaining, as Texas A&M likely needs to finish undefeated to have a shot at the 1-seed, and knowing that Missouri also needs to win out for a shot at the CFP, but will need to do so without starting quarterback Beau Pribula, who is sidelined with an indefinite injury. On paper, both teams are very similar, especially on defense.
Offensively, Texas A&M’s passing game, led by star quarterback Marcel Reed, averages 259 yards per game, 200 yards on the ground, 37.1 points per contest, and has produced 47 explosive plays (20-plus yards). With Missouri freshman quarterback Matt Zollers starting on Saturday, the Tigers will likely rely on the run game, behind senior back Ahmad Hardy, who leads a group averaging 235 rushing yards per game.
Defensively, Missouri limits opponents to 18.3 points each game compared to Texas A&M’s 23.6 average. While the Tigers’ pass defense (167.1 yards per game) is statistically better than the Aggies’ secondary (203 yards per game), these defenses are very similar in coverage. On the ground, Missouri has shut down opponents to just 81.6 rushing yards, while the Aggies are allowing a little over 119 yards on the ground.
However, this game will be won in the trenches on both sides, and Texas A&M’s veteran offensive line has allowed only seven sacks this season. In comparison, the Tigers’ O-line has surrendered 18 sacks and will be challenged throughout the night, especially left tackle Caden Green going against senior edge Cashius Howell, who has produced an SEC-leading 9.5 sacks.
Still, Missouri’s impressive defensive line has recorded 23 sacks in eight games, led by defensive end Damon Wilson’s 6.5 sacks. Suppose Texas A&M’s offensive line holds up. In that case, Marcel Reed will have plenty of time to find his fast wide receiver rotation, as transfer wideouts KC Concepcion and Mario Craver have yet to have issues against any secondary they’ve faced.
Overall, Missouri’s defense could keep this a lower-scoring game, but outside of Texas A&M’s penalty-heavy 16-10 win over Auburn, the Aggies have scored 40 or more points in four consecutive road games, and aren’t looking to slow down.
Texas A&M will face Missouri in Columbia on Saturday, November 8, at 2:30 p.m., with the game airing on ABC.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M and Missouri’s strengths, weaknesses before Week 11 matchup
