The trend of the 2025 season has been about taking last season’s revenge. We have seen how the Utah Utes came, fought, and taught the Colorado Buffaloes a lesson after suffering a heartbreaking loss last year. This weekend opens up for the big face-off between Eli Drinkwitz’s Missouri Tigers and Mike Elko’s Texas A&M Aggies. The 41-10 loss wound is still fresh in the memories of the Tigers. While a hunger to teach them a lesson burns bright within Drinkwitz’s boys, the head coach in no way treats Elko’s squad as weaker. 

On November 4, Texas Ags wrote on X: “Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz was asked about Texas A&M on the SEC Teleconference: ‘That team last year whipped our b***. They came out hungry and took it to us.” “Are they better? Yeah.” What must be snatching Drinkwitz and co.’s sleep now?

While the Aggies were a promising side last season, they handed Missouri a blowout loss. This time, Drinkwitz himself acknowledges that Elko’s squad is better than it was last year. The Aggies have yet to open their loss record this season and remain undefeated. On top of that, before they travel to Memorial Stadium this weekend, they will be all well rested and energized after enjoying a bye week. Their biggest weapon that might keep Drinkwitz and co. at bay? Has to be their quarterback, Marcel Reed. So far into this season, he has for 1,972 yards and 17 touchdowns, while also rushing for 349 yards and six more scores.

Drinkwitz might already be finding himself in a pool of cold sweat thinking about how to throttle the Aggies’ defense. After all, Elko’s defensive end Cashius Howell has been a terror for opposing quarterbacks, coming up with 9.5 sacks. However, the Tigers’ Damon Wilson, too, leads the charge with 6.5, but if A&M’s protection stays solid, Reed’s connection with speedsters KC Concepcion and Mario Craver could light up Drinkwitz’s secondary.

Missouri’s defense might have what it takes to keep the scoreboard in check. However, not to forget, Elko’s offense has been a road warrior. They topped 40 points in four straight road trips.

Amidst this, Drinkwitz might be in a pressuring situation and might hear the clock ticking off. Missouri’s path to contention just got steeper with two losses in the last three games, while Texas A&M stays spotless and squarely in the SEC title hunt. So, not a good time for the Tigers to start freshman quarterback Matt Zollers. But looks like Drinkwitz’s champs have taken him under their wings.

Leaders on the sidelines keep Eli Drinkwitz’s locker room united

Missouri starting quarterback Beau Pribula went down against Vanderbilt with a dislocated ankle. Even though he did not break any bones that might call for a trip to the operating room, we are still unaware of the timeline of Drinkwitz’s quarterback’s return. Missouri had counted on Pribula after Sam Horn suffered a fractured tibia in his right leg during the first play of the season, on August 28, against Central Arkansas.

That’s when Drinkwitz counted on Zollers to hold the reins. And how did he fare in this role? Pretty well. Most freshmen would have crumbled under so much pressure, but Zollers stood tall. Thrown into Missouri’s showdown with then-No. 10 Vanderbilt, he clawed the Tigers back from a 10-3 hole to tie things at 10 before a desperate Hail Mary fell heartbreakingly short in a 17-10 loss. There must be a secret mantra behind this lofty confidence.

Drinkwitz’s quarterback duo is now out for the remainder of the regular season. However, not for once had they dropped off their captain hats. From the sidelines, they remain steady voices for the Tigers, especially to freshman starter Zollers.

“They’re still doing a great job of leading him and he’s taking the coaching from them,” safety Jalen Catalon said of the quarterbacks. “Understand that he’s young, but he’s able to make things happen.” Not just Pribula and Horn.

Eli Drinkwitz’s center, Connor Tollison, is also willing to go to great lengths to help Matt Zollers. He assured, “Whatever you need me to do, let me know. Do your thing, I’m here for you the whole way.” Zollers finally has space to breathe, but the spotlight’s only getting hotter. Can he keep his cool against Texas A&M?