Missouri's Eli Drinkwitz sends clear message to players ahead of Texas A&M matchup

Jeff Hauser

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Missouri's Eli Drinkwitz sends clear message to players ahead of Texas A&M matchup image

Missouri Tigers coach Eli Drinkwitz didn't waste an opportunity to send a clear message to his team this week. Before facing No. 3 Texas A&M, the weeks felt longer following two losses in three games. 

Now, the opportunity to knock off an undefeated team is what Drinkwitz want his team to focus on they'll do it without quarterback Beau Pribula, who' out for the rest of the year.

“If you would have told us when we started fall camp that we would be ranked coming out of the second bye week with an opportunity for everything we want in front of us, and we get to play a top-10 team at home, would everybody have signed up for it? We all said yes,” Drinkwitz told his players.

Missouri remains mathematically alive for both the SEC title and College Football Playoff at 6-2, but it's not likely. The path begins with toppling the undefeated Aggies, but would require an upset. Something the Tigers haven't done in 15 years.

“You know, there’s really nothing to fear,” Drinkwitz said. “It’s just a hell of an opportunity laying out there for us.”

On the other sideline, Mike Elko is chomping at the bit and ready to take his team into the SEC Championship Game. But there's still a ton of football in front of the Aggies. 

“We are desperate,” A&M coach Mike Elko said. “We’ve earned everything we’ve got, and every single Saturday someone’s coming to take it from us. Missouri’s still alive for the playoff. This is a huge opportunity for them.”

Matthew Zollers will start at quarterback for Missouri. The No. 9 signal-caller in this year's recruiting class comes with high expectations. 

Texas A&M has a 10–7 series edge and hasn’t allowed a sack in three straight games. Running back Rueben Owens II continues to fill in for injured Le’Veon Moss, who could return by season’s end.

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Staff Writer