Mizzou football at Texas A&M: Five things to know before Tigers’ first road test

Last time we saw No. 9 Mizzou take the field, the Tigers survived a scare against the Vanderbilt Commodores (2-2, 0-1 SEC) in a 2OT finish.

Mizzou (4-0, 1-0 SEC) won 30-27 and walked into its bye week still unbeaten.

Now, the Tigers hit the road for the first time this season, facing a difficult task with a trip to College Station against No. 25 Texas A&M (4-1, 2-0 SEC).

Head coach Mike Elko’s Aggies trailed Arkansas 17-14 in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, but quarterback Marcel Reed led a 75-yard drive, capped off with a touchdown that put the game back in the Aggies’ favor.

Texas A&M left the DFW area with its second SEC win, 21-17.

“Obviously, we have a tremendous challenge to go on the road this week to play a top-25 team in one of the premier stadiums in college football,” head coach Eli Drinkwitz said at Tuesday’s media availability. “You know, Mike Elko has done a tremendous job wherever he’s been as a head football coach. And obviously, this being his first year, he’s really doing a tremendous job, I think, developing the identity of that team.”

As the Tigers prepare to take on the Aggies and their infamous “12th Man” at Kyle Field, here’s what you need to know...

Mizzou football at Texas A&M game details

Kickoff: 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5

Where: Kyle Field (College Station, Texas)

TV: ABC

Radio: Tiger Radio Network

Betting line: Texas A&M is a 2.5-point favorite (via FanDuel).

Over/under: 48.5

Five Things to Know

1. This is the first time the Tigers have been underdogs this season. As Drinkwitz called Kyle Field a “premier stadium in college football,” there’s no doubt that College Station is one of the most hostile environments the Tigers could walk into for their first road test, especially against a top-25 team.

2. A&M’s starting QB this week will be a game-time decision. QB Conner Weigman has been dealing with a shoulder injury, sidelining him for A&M’s games against Florida and Arkansas. Elko called Weigman, who’s thrown for 225 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions this season, a game-time decision on Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference. If it’s not Weigman, the Tigers will face the freshman QB Reed. In three starts, Reed has thrown for 585 yards with eight total touchdowns (six passing).

3. A&M has a top-15 rushing offense. Expect the Aggies to run the ball. A&M is ranked 13th in rushing offense, averaging 231.6 yards per game with eight rushing TDs. The running attack is largely led by RB Le’Veon Moss and his 471 yards (third-best in SEC) and three touchdowns. The Aggies’ passing game, on the other hand, ranks 116th across FBS at 160.8 yards per game.

4. Watch out for sophomore DB Marcus Ratcliffe in A&M’s secondary. Ratcliffe leads the SEC (tied with Arkansas’ TJ Metcalf) with three interceptions so far in his first season with the Aggies. Ratcliffe was named Most Outstanding Defensive Freshman by the team at San Diego State last year after recording 49 tackles (31 solo), a pass breakup and an interception.

5. Under Drinkwitz, the Tigers are 4-1 coming off a bye week. There have hardly been any signs of the Tigers being out of practice when it comes to playing after the bye. The lone loss under Drinkwitz was a 30-21 defeat to No. 2 Georgia in 2023.