Storylines to watch ahead of Texas A&M's road trip to take on Missouri

Texas A&M is ready to hit the road again this weekend, taking its talents to Columbia, Missouri, to face the 6-2 Tigers in what begins the final month of regular-season play. The Aggies, holding the No. 3 spot in the AP Poll and sitting with Alabama atop the SEC standings, have another chance to prove the doubters wrong and continue on their unblemished campaign.

Every conference matchup is far from a guarantee, especially this late in the season, and Missouri has every reason to go down swinging. So let's check out some of the biggest storylines that are shaping what's a pivotal in-conference battle between two playoff hopefuls.

What will this Tiger offense look like in Matt Zollers' first career start?

Missouri's season took a turn for the worse two weeks ago when starting quarterback Beau Pribula exited the Tigers' loss to Vanderbilt with a serious lower-leg injury, suffered on a run where he was stuffed at the end zone. In relief, they turned to Matt Zollers — a true freshman from Royersford, Pennsylvania — and he finished the game off completing 14 of his 23 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown. His day ended with a Hail Mary attempt to tie the game at the buzzer, a pass that came up inches short from crossing the goal line.

While Zollers was ultimately ineffective in his first high-pressure situation, the team has had an extra week to catch him up to speed for his first career start. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz has admitted there is nothing new they'll add to the playbook with him under center but did hint that there are things he's capable of that Pribula isn't and that those "things" could make their way into the call sheet.

What that most likely means is some more shots downfield — Zollers has been lauded for his arm talent since his high school days, where Pribula has been more of a dynamic athlete who makes things happen with his legs. Missouri has had one of the least explosive passing games in college football this season under Pribula, but we could see that change Saturday as Drinkwitz designs a game plan to best fit his new quarterback's strengths.

This should be a nice opportunity for the Aggies' talented defense to pounce on an inexperienced thrower, but the mystique surrounding this Missouri offense could catch the team off guard and is definitely something to keep an eye on.