Texas A&M (4-1, 2-0 SEC) will head back to Kyle Field for a Saturday afternoon showdown against Missouri (4-0, 1-0 SEC) a week after defeating Arkansas 21-17 in a game that could have gone either way after being tied 14-14 for most of the afternoon.
A win is a win, and the Aggies now have a chance to start 3-0 in the SEC for the first time in more than a decade. However, as head coach Mike Elko noted on Wednesday during his SEC Teleconference appearance, the Tigers’ offense, especially the passing game, will present a significant challenge for the Aggies’ secondary.
Starting with Missouri quarterback Brady Cook, who has thrown for 946 yards and four touchdowns in four games, star wide receiver Luther Burden, who is regarded as one of the top five prospects ahead of next year’s 2025 NFL draft, has hauled in every one of Cook’s touchdown passes coupled with 257 receiving yards.
Knowing his talent level and impact on the game plan, Elko praised Burden’s skillset while noting that A&M’s defense will have its hands full. However, wide receivers Theo Wease (287 yards) and Mookie Cooper (130 yards) can also break the game wide-open.
“It’s hands-down the most impressive group we’ve seen this year. … Luther Burden is elite.”
“If you shift any type of coverage to Burden, Theo (Wease) can have a field day on you. … They’re gifted. We’ll have to be on our game to slow them down.”
Texas A&M’s cornerback rotation showed much improvement against Arkasnas’s equally talented wide receiver rotation, led by junior cornerback Will Lee III, who recorded four pass deflections in Saturday’s win and will likely be responsible following Burden stride for stride.
Another Aggie cornerback to watch on Saturday is former Alabama CB Dezz Ricks, who recorded five tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception during his first start with the program.
Texas A&M will host Missouri on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 11:00 a.m. CT. The game will air on ABC and will be available for streaming on ESPN+.
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