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Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma State - October 21st, 6:00 PM @ Stillwater, Oklahoma It's week eight in the Big 12 conference - and yet another tall task for Texas A&M. Thus far the Aggies have been up to the challenge. Will the trend continue? After a crushing loss to Texas Tech three weeks ago, the question was if the Aggies could pick themselves up off the deck and go on the road to beat an upstart Kansas squad - in the midst of a nine-game home winning streak - and stay alive in the Big 12 South title chase. Check. Two weeks ago, after winning in the closing seconds against the Jayhawks, many A&M fans wondered if the Aggies could deal with the success, in much the same manner they dealt with defeat the week before, and beat an explosive, ranked and undefeated Missouri club at Kyle Field. Check. The Aggies, similar to Jorvorskie Lane's pounding of an opponent, are simply taking it one game at a time, and meeting every challenge head-on. The maturity level of this team is something to be commended. Almost wise beyond their years, the chemistry is admired, the leadership exceptional and the heart has never been in question. Those special traits are just a few of the reasons why A&M currently sits where it does. It will take all those traits and more to be successful this weekend in Stillwater. In a mirror image of the examples above, the Aggies will once again be catching another Big 12 opponent on the upswing. The Oklahoma State Cowboys are feeling it following a 600 yard, 10 point victory on the road at Kansas last weekend. The Pokes, much like the Aggies, have a group of skill position players who are young, explosive and capable of changing the momentum of a game in an instant. It's not by accident that OSU played their best half of football in the last two quarters against Kansas last weekend. The Cowboys have a sophomore quarterback, a duel-threat at running back (true freshman and sophomore starters), experience at WR (junior-senior starters), and a sophomore TE. Sound familiar? Those players, like A&M's, are now getting more comfortable in their system and gaining confidence with each snap of the football. It won't be easy for the Aggies to contain them for four quarters on Saturday. Additionally, the Oklahoma State fans have had this one circled on their calendar for almost two years. It's the Cowboys' first home game in over a month, their homecoming, and everyone in attendance, I'm sure, will remember the Aggies' last trip to Stillwater - where they stunned the home crowd and plastered the previously unbeaten and No. 15 Cowboys, 36-20. OSU enters the contest at 1-1 in the Big 12, the Aggies 2-1. The winner will still be considered a Big 12 title contender while the loser will play out the string and probably end up in a lesser bowl. The Cowboys have made it clear that they intend to recruit Texas, particularly Houston and Dallas. A&M, since the formation of the Big12, has won eight of the ten games played and leads the all-time series 15-6. Can the Aggies stay on track and keep things moving in the direction they appear headed? When the Cowboys have the ball: Led by sophomore quarterback Bobby Reid, the Cowboys are just now hitting their stride. Don't let anyone tell you that OSU lacks talent or that this game is a guarantee. The Cowboys are explosive on offense and possess weapons at just about every position on the field. Just last week, Reid threw for 411 yards and 5 touchdowns while 6' 4" 220 pound wide receiver Adarius Bowman set a Big 12 record with 13 catches for 300 yards and 4 touchdowns. Bowman leads the country in receiving (123.8 yards/game) and teams with 6' 1" 210 pound D'Juan Woods (13 for 228) to give the Cowboys two physically strong receivers who will present match-up problems for any opponent. The Cowboys' NCAA rankings on offense are eerily similar to those of A&M - 14th in rushing, 34th in passing and 10th overall. Big 12 newcomer of the year, sophomore RB Mike Hamilton, and true freshman RB Keith Toston are the choices when the Cowboys elect to keep it on the ground. Both average over 5 yards per carry and together combine for 123 yards per game. Advantage Oklahoma State Key Match-ups: A&M cornerbacks Jordan Peterson and Danny Gorrer against OSU wide receivers Adarius Bowman and D'Juan Woods; A&M free safety Devin Gregg against OSU quarterback Bobby Reid. When the Aggies have the ball: Similar to last weekend, I think the game could be won or lost in this category. As was the case the previous two games, if the Aggies again take care of the football and minimize mistakes, I don't think the Cowboys can stop them. OSU leads the conference in sacks with 3.67 per game (4th nationally), but A&M's run game has a way of slowing teams down at the point of attack. I mean, if you can't stop J-Train and "24 power" then there's no need to rush the passer. The Aggie offense averages 200 yards per game on the ground while OSU gives up 130.17 - 9th best in the Big 12 and 63rd nationally. Another concern for Oklahoma State is that starting linebacker Chris Collins was lost for the season and will be replaced in the lineup by another true freshman, Patrick Lavine. Ouch! "I hear that train a comin!" Look for the Aggies to continue with a multiple approach, but when it matters the most expect the Train to run downhill. SS Andre Sexton (Cy-Falls High School in Houston) - the team leader in tackles - was a player I saw a couple years ago and I wondered then why he wasn't being more heavily recruited. Sexton's size and stature, however, will be no match for Martellus Bennett. If the OSU safeties are over-aggressive in attempting to stop the run, several big plays over the top might be a possibility. Advantage Texas A&M Key Match-ups: A&M's Jorvorskie Lane against OSU linebackers Roderick Johnson and Patrick Lavine. OSU defensive ends Nathan Peterson and Victor Degrate against A&M's offensive tackles. Special teams - other Intangibles: The Cowboys win this category because of Perrish Cox. The Waco, Texas freshman leads the nation in punt return average (17.1) and opened the season with a 96 yard kickoff return for a touchdown. OSU leads the nation in kickoff returns, with an average starting field position being the 33.14 yard line. Net punting is a wash. OSU has the edge in the penalty department (ranking #1 in the conference), but the Aggies own time of possession (29:20 to 33:34) and turnover margin. Advantage Oklahoma State PREDICTION: This is a very similar game to last week. Both teams have explosive offensive talent who are just now settling into their respective positions. Making it more difficult for A&M is that the game will be on the road, usually giving the edge to the home team when everything else is equal - and this one is equal. Oklahoma State doesn't have the defense Missouri does, however, and the Aggies should have the BIG advantage in that department. I'd name the team that wins the rushing category as the probable winner. If that particular team also holds the edge in the turnover department then it's just about guaranteed. I expect that team to be A&M TEXAS A&M 28, OKLAHOMA STATE 24 |