Three keys to victory for Mizzou defeating Texas A&M

Saturday marks Mizzou football's toughest challenge of the season as the Tigers travel to College Station for a ranked showdown. After a Week 1 loss to Notre Dame, the Aggies bounced back with four straight wins, setting the stage for a highly anticipated matchup.

The trip to Kyle Field is always a challenge, but Mizzou will be rested after a bye last week. The Tigers are off to a 4-0 start for the second straight season, although errors in the game against Vanderbilt led to a narrow overtime win.

With all eyes on this week's match, here are three key factors that could lead Mizzou to victory:

After the Aggies lost starting quarterback Conner Weigman, a new star emerged at Texas A&M: Marcel Reed. Reed seized the opportunity and brought new energy to the team. Although head coach Mike Elko says Weigman is questionable, it seems unlikely they would move on from Reed, who has been a spark for the Aggies. Reed's skillset is similar to that of quarterbacks Thomas Castellanos and Diego Pavia, whom Mizzou recently competed against. He is dynamic with his legs, which makes him difficult to contain, especially when he breaks out of the pocket.

The Tigers will have their hands full and will need to use a quarterback spy again. After Vanderbilt's Pavia broke through Mizzou's defense in Week 4, it will be a real test to see what adjustments the Tigers make. If Mizzou can force Reed to stay in the pocket, its chances of leaving College Station with a big win will improve significantly.

On the other side of the ball, it will be crucial for Mizzou's offensive line to hold its own against the toughest defense they have faced all year. Texas A&M has a lot of talent on its defensive line, led by future NFL draft pick Nic Scourton, who had his best performance of the season with two sacks against Arkansas. The Aggies' entire defense will be ready to play, giving Mizzou one of its biggest challenges of the season.

In a stadium with over 100,000 fans, communication will be crucial for the Tigers. Cam'Ron Johnson and Armand Membou must play a crucial role in neutralizing the right side of the battle line. It's a difficult task, but one that will have a big impact on the outcome of the game.

Brady Cook has been the focal point of Mizzou football all season, and that won't change on Saturday. Despite Mizzou's 4-0 start, Cook will be the first to admit that he hasn't reached his full potential. We saw what he's capable of, especially in the Kansas State game last season, but he hasn't shown that yet this season. This week's matchup against Texas A&M will largely depend on Cook's performance. If he can find a rhythm early and calm the crowd down, Mizzou will be on its way to a big win.

Cook will be playing in one of the toughest environments in the country and will have a lot to carry. A few early first downs and use of his legs could help open up the offense. The Tigers have struggled in the red zone and have settled for field goals too often this season. If they want to win, it's going to depend on Cook making big plays and leading this offense to touchdowns. His ability to execute will be the ultimate key to a Mizzou win.