The 3 Biggest X-Factors for Missouri at Texas A&M

The Texas A&M football team will play Missouri at Kyle Field on Saturday. There is a small group of players who will have a significant impact on the game. 

The Aggies are 7-3 on the season with a 3-3 record in the SEC. They are coming off a 41-38 victory at Auburn. Missouri is 7-2 on the season with a 4-1 record in the SEC. They are coming off a bye week.

This game will have a huge impact on the standings in the SEC East and on positioning in the bowl pecking order for the Aggies. Missouri is still fighting to get into the SEC Championship Game, and a loss to the Aggies would likely take them out of the running. 

This is a look at some of the impact players who will compete in the game on Saturday.

WR Speedy Noil

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Speedy Noil can have as big of an impact on the game as any player in a Texas A&M uniform because he is so dangerous on special teams. Noil averages 13.6 yards per punt return with a long of 67 yards. 

He is a threat to break the game open every time the ball is kicked to him. As a wide receiver, Noil has caught 37 passes for 477 yards and four touchdowns through 10 games. 

Noil is dynamic with the ball in his hands. He is strong enough to break tackles yet elusive enough to leave defenders grasping at air. 

He is the best young receiver on an Aggies roster full of young talent at the wide receiver position. Do not be surprised if Noil makes two or three big plays that end up winning the game for Texas A&M.

RB Marcus Murphy

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Missouri senior running back Marcus Murphy is as dangerous a kick returner as there is in all of college football. He averages 14.3 yards per punt return with a touchdown and 32.9 yards per kickoff return with two touchdowns. 

As a running back, Murphy has rushed for 519 yards with a touchdown. He has also caught 15 passes for 120 yards and another touchdown. 

Murphy is obviously a dynamic player with the ball in his hands. The Texas A&M special teams coaches are going to have to focus on shutting him down in the return game, as he can change the game's outcome with one return.

DE Myles Garrett

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Texas A&M freshman defensive end Myles Garrett is the best football player on the Aggies. He is a dominant force from the weak-side defensive end spot. 

Garrett leads the Aggies with 11.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. He impacts games even when he does not put up big numbers. He was only credited with four tackles against Auburn, but he was in the backfield all day and was blatantly held on numerous occasions. 

The Auburn left tackle was called for holding twice, and Garrett blocked a field goal right before halftime that Deshazor Everett returned for a touchdown. That play gave the Aggies an 18-point halftime lead in a game they won by three. 

Garrett may be the best defensive end in the SEC as a true freshman. He is a force on defense who will earn All-SEC honors and likely All-American consideration at the end of the season.