5 Bold Predictions for No. 16 Texas A&M vs. Missouri

Last year, Blaine Gabbert led the Missouri Tigers to a dominating 30-9 win over the reeling Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Although that loss forced Texas A&M to make a quarterback switch that propelled them to six straight wins and a Cotton Bowl berth, the Aggies are still looking for revenge from last season's embarrassing defeat.

The No. 16 Aggies have ripped off three straight wins, including last week's dominating 33-17 victory over Iowa State that marked the team's first away game of the season. The Aggie Express rumbled for 247 yards, including 142 yards and a touchdown from Christine Michael and 160 total yards for Cyrus Gray.

Mizzou, which opened the season ranked No. 21 with a win over Miami, has dropped three of its last four and comes into the game still sore from a 45-24 home loss against No. 6 Oklahoma State in which quarterback James Franklin's four turnovers turned into 21 points for the Cowboys.

The Aggies lead the overall series against the Tigers with a 7-4 advantage, but Missouri has emerged victorious with four wins in the last five contests.

Here are five bold predictions for No. 16 Texas A&M's Saturday morning matchup against Missouri. 

1. Henry Josey Rushes For Over 100 Yards

The principle matchup, and the one which may decide who wins this game, will be between the Missouri rushing offense and the Texas A&M rushing defense.

Running back Henry Josey leads the Big 12 with 122.1 rushing yards per game, good for 8th nationally.

The Aggie rush defense, only allowing 79.9 yards per game, also leads the the conference.

Josey is a threat both receiving and rushing and can rip off a big play at any moment. He ran for a Big 12-best 263 yards in a game earlier this season versus Western Illinois and, while I don't see him getting anywhere near that against this stout Aggie defense, I do think he'll win the battle. 

With quarterback James Franklin always a read-option, the Aggies will have to deal with the confusion of the Tigers' two-pronged rushing attack if they hope to emerge victorious.

2. Over 100 Yards Receiving for Jeff Fuller

After a junior season in which he became the first Aggie receiver to record over 1,000 receiving yards (1,066) and was named a member of the All-Big 12 First Team, Jeff Fuller looked destined to jump into the NFL draft.

Following the advice of teammate Von Miller, who was drafted No. 2 overall after being projected a mid-late first-rounder, Fuller returned to College Station for a senior year which he hoped would escalate his draft stock.

Hampered by a nagging hamstring injury, however, Fuller's 2011 campaign has been mostly disappointing. He's scored three touchdowns and is tied for 7th in the Big 12 with 5.6 receptions per game, but he's dropped out of the top ten in receiving yards and hasn't surpassed 82 yards in a game this season.

"We’re looking forward to what Jeff can do," quarterback Ryan Tannehill said in Monday's press conference. "Each week he’s got to get better and we have to get better as a team. He’s getting close to the point where he’s 100 percent and hopefully we can start getting him the ball more.”

The Tigers have a talented young corner in E.J. Gaines whom I expect to have the unenviable task of covering A&M's shifty slot receiver Ryan Swope, leaving Fuller to deal with lesser competition and reclaim his spot as one of the best pass catchers in the conference.

3. Three Turnovers Forced by Wrecking Crew

The Aggies started off last week's game with a bang, intercepting Iowa State quarterback Steele Jantz's first attempt of the game. They weren't able to recover a fumble, however, a streak that has lasted since the game against Texas in 2010.

Mizzou quarterback James Franklin has shown a predilection for turning the ball over, and I expect the sophomore making his first start at Kyle Field to be overwhelmed by the atmosphere and make a couple costly mistakes. 

Two Franklin interceptions plus a long-overdue fumble recovery will spell a positive turnover margin for the Aggies.

4. 10 Receptions for T.J. Moe

T.J. Moe emerged as one of the most consistent and dependable playmakers in the Big 12 last season and led the Tigers in nearly every receiving category (92 receptions, 1,045 yards, six touchdowns).

He enters Saturday's game with 37 receptions and three scores, and ranks eighth in the Conference with 68.3 receiving yards per game.

The Tigers spread offense is predicated on the read-option and quick passing strikes, and Moe will find the soft spots in the Aggie defense and act as Franklin's No. 1 target. I think Moe has a massive day against this Texas A&M pass defense that gives up a league worst 335.4 passing yards per game. 

5. Aggies Beat Tigers 31-20

Kyle Field has been a graveyard for opposing teams and I expect Franklin to crack under the pressure of 89,000 screaming fans.

As long as Tannehill doesn't make any costly mistakes (he was turnover-less last week against Iowa State), I think the Aggies will handle the Tigers. I'm expecting one of those big-yardage, little-points days from Missouri. 

The Aggies win 31-20, gaining momentum for next week's matchup in Norman against the Sooners and handing the Tigers their fourth loss in five games.