Cook was often forced out of the pocket trying to pull a rabbit out of his helmet. But he was simply exhausted, completing just 13 of his 31 passes, the lowest completion rate (42%) in a start of his college career.

“We know we have guys in the back that can cover one-on-one,” Scourton said of what made the Aggies’ pass rush effective. “I just tried to make Brady Cook nervous and it worked. He made some bad decisions in the game and that worked in our favor.”

Even though Cook struggled to find time in the pocket or connect with his receivers, Missouri had no choice but to stick with the passing game. When Texas A&M took a 17-0 lead early in the game, the Tigers were forced to abandon their offensive identity.

Although the air attack led by Cook was weak early in the season, Missouri's running game, particularly behind Noel, held the offense together.

Running back Nate Noel, who received over 20 carries in each of Missouri's last two games, needed just 10 carries for 30 yards. Cook's eleven tries in the last desperate fight outnumbered Noel's attempts.

Based on the film, Texas A&M knew that the Aggies could keep their foot on the gas if they could shut down Missouri early and force them into uncomfortable situations.

Missouri has been prone to slow starts on both ends in 2024, scoring a total of 13 points in the first quarters over the last four games. Against Boston College in Week 3, the Tigers looked lifeless as they fell to an early 14-3 deficit.

The mistake Boston College made in letting Missouri back in was giving away turnovers. Although Missouri cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. had free reign during an interception early in the second quarter, the ball fell to the ground after hitting him directly in the chest.

Nine plays after Pride's dropped interception, Texas A&M running back Le'Veon Moss muscled his way into the end zone to give the Aggies a 24-0 lead. While Missouri's offense was lethargic and sluggish, Texas A&M's offense managed to find a smooth rhythm.

“When you make plays or have success, you kind of get into a rhythmic flow,” Elko said. “You decide the game more quickly.” You can play some tempo games.

Texas A&M picked up the pace on its first drive of the game, hoping to catch Missouri off guard.

It proved effective as the Missouri defense only generated seven pressures and allowed 512 total yards. Every level of the Tigers defense had its moments. After playing in tandem for much of the first four weeks, the pass rush and secondary neither showed up on Saturday.

While Missouri had to forego the running game almost entirely, Texas A&M was able to use it as a helpful complement to the passing game led by quarterback Conner Weigman. Moss, who rushed for 12 carries for 138 yards and three touchdowns, said the passing game's success has been a “tremendous” help to the running game.

Moss' second touchdown immediately dashed Missouri's hopes as he broke free for a 75-yard touchdown on the first play of the second half to take a 31-0 lead.

“We just wanted to come out and continue to put our foot down,” Moss said of the mindset at the start of the second half.

The Aggies never let go of their stranglehold on the Tigers.

The final answer to how to beat the Missouri Tigers in 2024 didn't exist before Texas A&M's win. But the red flags had surrounded Missouri all season.

Now the Aggies are the course experts when it comes to where and how to not only win, but mercilessly eliminate the Tigers.

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