Missouri @ Texas A&M preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 30, 2013 ) Texas A&M 21, Missouri 28

Missouri looks to tighten its grip on top spot in the SEC East Division when it hits the road to face Texas A&M for the fourth time in five years on Saturday. The Tigers lead the pack with a 4-1 conference record and hope to extend their winning streak to four games as they aim for their second consecutive SEC title-game appearance. "The opportunities are out there and everyone knows what they are," coach Gary Pinkel said. "It doesn't matter who we play or where we play, it's how we play."

The Aggies shocked No. 9 Auburn on the road to snap a three-game conference losing skid. Texas A&M recovered two fumbles in the last three minutes of the game to preserve the win and hope to climb above the .500 mark in SEC play by beating Missouri for just the second time in the last six meetings between the schools. "How you play matters," coach Kevin Sumlin told reporters. "The preparation and focus and intensity level to play in this league is not something you turn on and off."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network. LINE: Texas A&M -4.

ABOUT MISSOURI (7-2, 4-1 SEC): Bud Sasser, who leads the team with 46 catches for 618 yards and eight touchdowns, has hauled in two scores in each of his last two games. Maty Mauk has thrown for 305 yards and four touchdowns in his last two outings after finishing with just 117 and five interceptions in his previous two. Missouri announced that it has agreed to a home-and-home series with West Virginia that will see the Tigers visit Morgantown in 2016 and the Mountaineers travel to Columbia in 2019.

ABOUT TEXAS A&M (7-3, 3-3): Freshman quarterback Kyle Allen was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 277 yards and four touchdowns in the win over Auburn. Drew Kaser earned National Punter of the Week honors after averaging 54.7 yards per kick, including a long of 60 yards versus the Tigers. Josh Reynolds caught six passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns last weekend and tops the team with 10 TD receptions.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Missouri has won three of the past five meetings at Kyle Field.

2. The Tigers are 3-0 on the road, outscoring their opponents 112-57.

3. Texas A&M has scored 35 or more points six times this season.

PREDICTION: Missouri 31, Texas A&M 30