Respect for Zou?

Missouri’s start as an SEC member has been slightly more successful recordwise than Texas A&M, though both are winning more than 50 percent of their conference football games since joining the league in 2012.

Missouri (16-8 in conference games, including 14-2 the past two seasons) has won two outright SEC East titles, clinching their second Friday as an underdog at home against Arkansas.

Texas A&M, which competes in the SEC West, is 13-11 in conference games and 27-11 overall in three seasons.

Missouri, which has defeated Texas A&M twice in three SEC meetings, also has a 27-11 overall record in three seasons.

“A lot of people play for respect, but I don’t think we need to,” quarterback Maty Mauk said. “What people say to us doesn’t bother me. They call us underdogs every week. We’re here to win championships, and that’s what we’re focused on.”

Said senior defensive end Markus Golden, “All year we’ve been talking about respect. We want people to respect this Tiger on our shirt and Mizzou. … Now we have a chance to win the championship. We feel like we have everyone’s respect.”