Texas A&M vs. Missouri State: Early Tests That Could Define The Season
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No. 8 Texas A&M football opens the 2026 season Saturday night against Missouri State, and the scoreboard won’t be the only thing Mike Elko should care about.
The Aggies are supposed to win this game. What matters is whether Marcel Reed and a reworked offense look ready for what comes next.
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Missouri State isn’t completely harmless. The Bears went 7-6 in their first FBS season in 2025 and reached the Xbox Bowl, where they lost 34-28 to Arkansas State. Still, as AggiesWire wrote, this is a game Texas A&M should control from the opening kick.
Reed enters his senior season after throwing for 3,169 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2025 while adding 493 rushing yards and six scores.
The problem wasn’t talent. It was volatility. He threw 12 interceptions, including costly mistakes late in the season, and now gets a favorable first test against a Missouri State defense that finished 2025 allowing plenty through the air.
Reed also has weapons. Mario Craver is back after catching 59 passes for 917 yards and four touchdowns, while Alabama transfer Isaiah Horton gives Texas A&M another big target at 6-foot-4.
But none of that matters if the offensive line can’t settle in quickly.
Center Mark Nabou Jr. is the only returning starter up front. The Aggies’ opening depth chart has Tyree Adams at left tackle, Blake Ivy or Tyler Thomas at left guard, Nabou at center, Trovon Baugh or Coen Echols at right guard and Wilkin Formby at right tackle.
That’s a lot of new chemistry to build in a hurry.
Missouri State is exactly the kind of opponent Texas A&M should control at the line of scrimmage, which makes anything less than clean protection and a dependable running game a legitimate concern.
Then there’s Anto Saka.
The Northwestern transfer arrives with 12 career sacks, 14 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles in 33 games.
He also brings freakish athleticism at 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds. Interestingly, Texas A&M’s official opening depth chart lists T.J. Searcy ahead of Saka at one defensive end spot, so Saka’s role is already worth watching.
Missouri State surrendered 52 sacks last season, making Saturday a prime opportunity for the Aggies’ pass rush to feast.
Texas A&M doesn’t need to prove it can beat Missouri State.
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It needs to prove Reed is sharper, the rebuilt offensive line is functional and the defense can overwhelm an opponent it should dominate.
That’s the real scorecard Saturday night at Kyle Field.
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