No. 8 Texas A&M opens as 40.5-point favorite over Missouri State

Texas A&M coach Mike Elko is urging his eighth-ranked team to maintain focus ahead of Saturday's season opener against Missouri State, despite entering the game as a 40.5-point favorite. The Aggies return quarterback Marcel Reed, who threw for 3,169 yards and 25 touchdowns last season, but lost 10 starters to the NFL draft and will field an almost entirely new offensive line. Elko emphasized the game is a first chance for players to prove they have embraced his offseason message of playing with urgency. Missouri State, coached by first-year head coach Casey Woods, won seven games last season in their first year at the FBS level. Before the game, Texas A&M will unveil a statue honoring former coach R.C. Slocum, the winningest coach in program history.