Texas A&M Aggies vs. Missouri: Tigers' Offensive Players to Watch

The Texas A&M Aggies have their work cut for them against the Missouri Tigers in Week 6, despite being at home. Here are three names to watch on offense for the visitors.

Aug 29, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook (12) warms up prior to a game against the Murray State Racers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. / Matt Guzman-Missouri Tigers On SI

Defense just might be the name of the game for both the Texas A&M Aggies and Missouri Tigers when the latter heads to College Station in Week 6.

Boasting one of the SEC's best offenses just one season ago with many big names returning, the Tigers so far have looked formidable. Boasting a perfect 4-0 record, Coach Eli Drinkwitz and company have pioneered another roster capable of making noise in the SEC and, entering the game as underdogs, likely will.

Texas A&M is fielding a weakened defensive unit without Tyreek Chappell as it looks to build on the momentum it's found from four straight victories, and a test against a high-powered Missouri team will be a good indicator of where it is heading into the back half of the season.

Obviously, the Aggies hope they'll come away with a win at home, but that could prove to be more difficult than it seems, especially with some of the names lining up across from their defense.

Here are three of them to watch in Week 6:

Brady Cook, Quarterback

Brady Cook didn't have the glamorous start that some of the SEC's best quarterbacks tend to have. In his first two seasons with Missouri, he threw fewer than 50 passes and wasn't by any means a core piece of its offense. Entering Year 3, he was expected to have a much bigger role as the starter and, despite a few instances of "not looking like himself," he's led the Tigers to the success they've found thus far.

On the year, Cook is 92-134 for 946 yards, four touchdowns and just one interception. He's proven his ability to find his receivers, but also take it himself when he needs to, and while he's not known as a mobile quarterback, per se, he's torched defenses with his legs on numerous occasions. If the Aggies let him get loose, they could pay, but if they sell out too hard on his scrambles, they might be burned just the same by some of the Tigers' receivers.

Luther Burden III, Wide Receiver

Arguably the biggest reason for Cook's success in the pocket is a star-studded receiving core spearheaded by Luther Burden. After committing to the Tigers as a true freshman, the receiver showed why he was so highly-touted, but couldn't seem to break down opposing defenses zeroed in on slowing him down.

Once the Tigers improved, however, so did their weapons. Burden was no longer the only player on the field that teams had to watch, so he had his way during a majority of the games he appeared in. That remains the case this season, as Burden — the clear-cut star of the show — isn't currently Missouri's receiving leader. That honor goes to Theo Wease Jr., but if the Aggies aren't careful, they could be in for a long day on multiple fronts.

Nate Noel, Running Back

After losing Cody Schrader — the SEC's leading rusher last season — the Tigers had to re-tool their running back room next year. Luckily for them, Appalachian State's Nate Noel has helped fill that gap.

Last season, Noel tallied 834 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 173 carries, averaging 4.8 yards per carry in the process. This season, he's already up to 441 yards and two touchdowns one-third of the way through the season, and that's on top of splitting carries with Georgia State transfer Marcus Carroll.

Between the pair, the Tigers have a strong one-two punch in the backfield, neither of which are "the weak link." Depending on the kind of day Brady Cook has, that could spell trouble for the Aggies.