Did anyone expect that by the final week of the season Missouri would be ranked in the top 5 in the country and a favorite over Texas A&M?  Accept it or not, that is what has happened.

Mizzou controls its own destiny in the final regular season game. A win would clinch the SEC East and send the Tigers to Atlanta to play in the SEC Championship game. If Missouri loses, then South Carolina would represent the division in Atlanta. Can the stakes be any higher?

Mizzou has had big contributions this season from the quarterback position. Senior quarterback James Franklin started the first six games for the Tigers until suffering a shoulder injury against Georgia. When healthy, Franklin has been terrific, throwing for 1,719 yards with 14 touchdowns and only four interceptions while completing 67% of his passes.

While Franklin was injured, redshirt freshman Matty Mauk stepped up big for Mizzou, leading the Tigers to a 3-1 record as a starter. In four starts, Mauk has thrown for over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The good news for Missouri fans is that Franklin is healthy and will be able to play. Watch for Mizzou to use both Franklin and Mauk at the quarterback position during this game.

Texas A&M is coming off a 34-10 defeat at the hands of the LSU Tigers. This was the biggest loss the Aggies have suffered since joining the SEC. The LSU game was arguably the worst performance reigning Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel has had all season. Manziel was 16 of 41 for 225 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. LSU's defense also held Manziel to only 54 yards rushing. This was the fewest points A&M has scored in the Manziel era.

Manziel's play against LSU last Saturday may have costed him a shot at winning a second Heisman Trophy. But, a win against a top 5 team like Missouri may push him back into the race.

The biggest match-up in this game will be A&M's passing offense vs Mizzou's passing defense. Texas A&M comes into the matchup ranked 4th in the country in passing yards, averaging 365 passing yards per game. It will be going up against a Mizzou defense that's ranked last in the SEC in pass defense, allowing over 270 passing yards per game. Despite being last in the conference, Missouri is only giving up 19 points per game which is good for second best in the conference.

This will be a very physical game. Both teams have the fire power to put up points quickly and often. A win will keep Missouri in the national championship picture but the Aggies look to play spoiler.

This game can be seen on ESPN at 6:45 CT.

More From Tide 100.9