Texas A&M vs Missouri State: The Matchups That Will Decide the Game

The Aggies and Bears have two positional matchups that will be must see.

Texas A&M Aggies linebacker Taurean York (21) reacts against the Texas Longhorns at Kyle Field on Nov. 30, 2024. | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Football players have a goal.

Win their matchup.

When Missouri State and Texas A&M football square off, that is exactly what both coaching staffs are telling their players when they take the field. Win the matchup. Ones to watch on opening weekend are the quarterbacks and running backs.

Quarterback vs Quarterback

Nov 30, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) scrambles with the ball during the first quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Kyle Field. | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Whoever is under center undoubtedly plays one of, if not the most important, roles in operating an offense. A&M relied heavily last season on Marcel Reed, and the success the offense had had a ton to do with him and his ability to make plays. He is a dual-threat with notable arm talent and a ton of weapons at his disposal. There is a new offensive coordinator, so it will be interesting to see what changes are made and what is similar.

As for Missouri State, there are a few questions surrounding who will be QB1 for the first game and whether there will be rotation throughout the contest. If the coaching staff elects to go with the UTEP transfer Skyler Locklear, they will see effective efficiency and someone who is great at extending plays. As for the other option, it could be the Duke transfer Henry Belin Ⅳ who spent four years there before making the move. He is an accurate passer with a cannon arm.

It is a matchup everyone should keep an eye on.

Running Back vs Running Back

A couple of decisions will have to be made for newly hired head coach Casey Woods, after inheriting a program that returned a ton of players from last year's team. On the active roster, he has five speedsters who could rotate reps during live action: Breezy Dubar, Ramone Green Jr., Iverson Young, King Davis, and Josh Joyner.

Two faces to circle in on are Green and Dubar. Green is listed as a senior at 5-foot-9, as he posted 52 carries for 278 yards with a touchdown. As for Dubar, he averaged 4.0 yards per carry and is another star who can be a surprise.

For the Aggies, there are also several options to throw out on the field, with the headrunner Rueben Owens, and teammates Jamarion Morrow, KJ Edwards, Tiger Riden Jr, and Carsyn Baker set to get time to shine. Owens is coming off a season in which he had 119 carries for 639 yards, with elite speed and great hands in the passing game, and will give the Bears’ defense issues.

Both rooms getting the run game going could be key to securing the first win of the season, as kickoff is set for Saturday, September 5, at Kyle Field.