Texas A&M Dominates Missouri, Sends Strong Message to CFP Chair

Texas A&M University (9-0, 6-0 SEC) solidified its position as a powerhouse in college football with a decisive 38-17 victory over No. 22 Missouri (6-3, 2-3 SEC) on Saturday night. The Aggies showcased a formidable second-half performance, outscoring the Tigers 24-17 and limiting Missouri’s freshman quarterback, Matt Zollers, to just 77 yards passing throughout the contest.

Despite allowing a few explosive running plays and two touchdowns, Texas A&M’s defense exhibited dominance from the opening whistle. This performance comes in the wake of comments from College Football Playoff (CFP) Selection Committee Chair Mack Rhoades, who noted that the Aggies’ ranking at No. 3—behind Indiana and Ohio State—was primarily based on concerns about their defense. The criticism followed a previous game where Texas A&M conceded over 500 yards to Arkansas, ultimately winning 45-42.

The Aggies’ recent performances, including a combined 45-point margin of victory over LSU and Missouri while allowing only 17 points and 284 yards, appear to have addressed these concerns. Following the game, junior linebacker Daymion Sanford expressed that Rhoades’ remarks served as motivation for the team. “It motivated us a lot… Coming into the game, we had a chip on our shoulder,” Sanford said.

Dalton Brooks Shines with Key Plays

Among all the standout performances, junior safety Dalton Brooks emerged as a pivotal figure in the game. He recorded six tackles, including a crucial sack fumble by Sanford that set up Texas A&M’s second touchdown in the first half. Brooks also executed an impressive 48-yard run off a fake punt, demonstrating remarkable speed that contributed to another scoring drive.

Reflecting on his standout performance, Brooks remarked that it “felt like being in high school” after his successful fake punt. He echoed Sanford’s sentiments regarding the defense’s resilience, stating, “We just showed we’re a defense that can come out and play. We’re a defense that can do what we need to do.”

Texas A&M’s victory marks their third consecutive road win in the SEC and positions them favorably for the upcoming CFP rankings. With No. 2 Indiana winning in a nail-biting finish against Penn State, the Aggies are poised to potentially move up in the standings when the new rankings are announced.

As the season progresses, Texas A&M’s commitment to excellence on both sides of the ball remains evident, and their recent performances suggest they are a force to be reckoned with in the playoff race. For ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, follow @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like their page on Facebook.