It was a nightmare. A year after losing a heart breaker to the Aggies in Austin, 12-7, the Horns dropped a second straight game to their hated rivals in College Station last season, 38-30.
Twice in the last two years Texas has been in the Big 12 title game mix. Twice the Aggies have rained on the Longhorns' parade.
This season, the stakes couldn't be higher for the Longhorns as they look to stay in the thick of the Big 12 and National title hunts with a win over their maroon-clad foes. More importantly, the Horns must win in style to keep OU at bay in the BCS poll.
The Sooners gained major ground on Texas with an impressive 65-21 victory over Texas Tech last weekend. OU has already jumped Texas in both the AP and Coaches polls and with an impressive win over OSU on Saturday, the Sooners could very well seize the No. 2 BCS spot away from Texas.
Texas must not allow their BCS dreams (or anxieties) to get the best of them. Based on their last two meetings with the Aggies, they must be focused coming in to this game.
However, this year's A&M squad has struggled and that's putting it nicely. The Aggies have stumbled to a 4-7 record (2-5 in conference).
The Aggie defense has been abysmal, allowing 455 yards per game. The offense hasn't been much better, as they only score about 25 points a game.
One thing the Aggies have done well over the past few years is run the football. QB Stephen McGee and Tailbacks Michael Goodson and Javorski Lane led the charge in a very powerful running attack.
What happened? The Aggies are averaging a mediocre 98 yards per game on the ground this season.
Well for starters, Stephen McGee is no longer the guy in College Station after being injured early in the season. Sophomore QB Jerrod Johnson has been an effective passer, but has fallen short on his potential as a runner.
The ultra-versatile Michael Goodson has rushed for a mere 401 yards and five touchdowns, no thanks to the offensive line which has been perhaps the ugliest aspect of the team apart from the defense.
Bruising back Javorski Lane now plays fullback in Mike Sherman's offense. Lane was the cause of many of Texas' defensive woes the last two seasons, but he doesn't figure to play a role in A&M's offensive game plan this year.
Texas' season has been dramatically different.
With three wins over top 11 teams and one last second loss to then-No. 8 Texas Tech in Lubbock, the Longhorns are on the verge of appearing in their second National title game in four years.
QB Colt McCoy has been money for the Longhorns this season, throwing for 3,134 yards and 30 touchdowns to just seven interceptions. He has completed an astounding 77 percent of his passes and if that holds up, he will shatter the single season record for completion percentage (the current record holder is former UCF QB Daunte Culpepper with 72 percent).
The Texas offense has been a juggernaut all season long, scoring 44 points a game. The Horns have averaged 471 yards of offense a game as well, which doesn't bode well for the beleaguered Aggie defense.
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about 1 month ago
Good article Dino...I agree with all of your comments about A&M this season....unfortunately. Good luck tonight in Austin, even though I don't think you will need it. Happy Thanksgiving!
from about 1 month ago
Hey, I appreciate that (see there are some nice Aggies in the world :) ) But seriously, good look tonight it'lll be a good game. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
about 1 month ago
OU (Rock) 65-21 over TT
TT (Scissors) 39-33 over TX
TX (Paper) 45-35 over OU
OU 100-66 (+34)
TX 78-74 (+4)
TT 60-98 (-38)
I'll take Oklahoma and a burrito...
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