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In order to go bowling for the eighth straight season, Missouri will need to beat a Heisman Trophy candidate and the best offense in the SEC on the road, and likely without its starting quarterback.
That's the task the Tigers face Saturday night when they travel to College Station to face No. 9 Texas A&M. Missouri (5-6, 2-5 SEC) has to try to find a way to slow down Johnny Manziel, who has torn apart the conference with 4,161 total yards, including over 1,000 on the ground, and 38 touchdowns. He's a big part of the Aggies (9-2, 5-2) being the SEC's top offensive team, averaging over 43 points and just under 544 yards per game in their first season in the conference.
The Tigers thought they had a bowl trip in the bag with a late lead over Syracuse, only to lose in the last minute. That game also cost them quarterback James Franklin, who scored four times in the defeat but suffered a concussion. If Franklin can't play Saturday, it'll be up to freshman Corbin Berkstresser to lead the way. In relief of Franklin last week, he finished 4-of-8 with 85 yards and an interception. Missouri will get back defensive MVP Sheldon Richardson, however. He missed the game against Syracuse with a suspension for breaking team rules.
Despite Richardson's return, oddsmakers don't expect Missouri to hold the line against Texas A&M. The Aggies are favored by 22 points, though the Tigers have won the last three head-to-head matches, back when both teams were in the Big 12.
Saturday's game will kick off at 7:00 p.m. EST. You can catch the game on ESPN 2.