Texas A&M (8-0):

I’m happy to see them doing well. For years, they’ve had all the talent in the world — they just needed a coach who could utilize that talent and take them to new heights. I guess the point I’m getting at is that how they’ve played this year and where they’re ranked now is exactly what was expected when they hired Jimbo Fisher as their head coach all those years ago. But we all know how that turned out — they’re still paying him not to be there, which is fairly common in the college ranks. The last time I saw this group play was in Baton Rouge under the lights against the LSU Tigers, and once again, they handled business. That also turned out to be the final game of Brian Kelly’s tenure in Death Valley. I’ve paid close attention to this Texas A&M team since that Week 2 showdown in South Bend, when they escaped against Notre Dame by a single point. This offense has been a thing of beauty, and they also have one of the best quarterback–wide receiver tandems you don’t hear much about — Marcel Reed and Mario Craver. I think this team is strong enough to make a playoff run, and why not? They’re well-coached, have a strong offensive line that can hold its own up front, and boast one of the best defenses in the nation — especially on third down and getting off the field. This Saturday afternoon, they’ll make a trip to the Midwest.

Missouri (6-2):

The last time I saw them, they were in Nashville taking on the Vanderbilt Commodores, and their defense came ready to play. Whenever you’re preparing to face a high-powered offense, you have to be all in — and they did a great job of containing Diego Pavia, forcing him to earn yards underneath rather than over the top. I also noticed how this group gave that same Vandy team a physical test, throwing punch after punch — something that made the former defensive player in me smile. The toughest part of that game was losing Beau Pribula to injury; unfortunately, he’s done for the season. Only two teams have held Vanderbilt under 20 points: Alabama and these Missouri Tigers. Eli Drinkwitz has a good football team in Columbia. Outside of Ahmad Hardy, who’s widely regarded as the best running back in the nation, they’re strong up front on both sides of the ball and have one of the best defenses in the country, anchored by some studs at defensive end. If they played in any other conference not named the SEC, you’d hear much more about them. But it’s understandable why they fly under the radar when you share a league with Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma, and the team they’ll face this weekend — the Texas A&M Aggies — at home following their bye week.

Texas A&M X-Factor: Le’Veon Moss

With a last name like that, he can’t be a slouch! Le’Veon returns to the field after missing the last two games with an ankle injury. One thing Texas A&M wants to do is run the football, and he’s a big piece of that offensive puzzle. His return comes at a crucial time as the stretch run continues. This adds another layer of difficulty for Missouri’s defense, because you can’t double both Reed and Moss — you have to pick your poison. If Le’Veon can gain chunk yards, it’ll force Missouri into lighter boxes. Controlling the line of scrimmage will also help the Aggies manage the clock.

Missouri X-Factor: Zion Young

Earlier, I mentioned the stars Missouri has at defensive end — here’s one of them. Meet Zion: a 6’5”, 262-pound defensive end with downhill speed and great pursuit of the football. He transferred from Michigan State and has emerged as a key player on this Missouri defense. He presents a real challenge for Texas A&M’s offensive line because he’s quick on stunts and has the speed to win his battles in the trenches. If Zion can generate consistent pressure and help contain Reed, he becomes that swing piece on the defensive side.

Final Thoughts:

It’s really Week 11 in college football — hard to believe! The first set of College Football Playoff rankings are revealed tonight, and by next month, the Playoff itself will be underway. Both teams are coming off their bye week: Texas A&M handled their business against LSU, while Missouri dropped a close one to Vanderbilt in Nashville. When these two met last season, the Aggies dominated the matchup. For Texas A&M, the key is to get the ground game going early. That gives them a major advantage — and not just with the running backs, but with the quarterback as well. If they can collectively establish a strong rushing attack, it’ll keep Hardy on the sidelines. Next, start fast, control the tempo, and take the crowd out of the game. Manage the clock, sustain drives, and avoid quick turnovers that could swing momentum. Defensively, the Aggies must limit Ahmad Hardy, set the edge, and seal any running lanes he could exploit. Missouri, on the other hand, must lean on the run game and time of possession. They need to maximize defensive efficiency, limit big plays, and stay disciplined. This is an explosive Texas A&M offense that can turn it on at any time, so the Tigers must win on third down — where A&M has been the nation’s best — and take advantage of A&M’s occasional issues with penalties and situational defense, especially in the red zone. I expect a closer game than many anticipate, but I like the Aggies to keep rolling.

Prediction:

Texas A&M 31, Missouri 20