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Texas A&M vs Kansas - Saturday 6:00 pm. (ESPN2) @ Kyle Field The Aggies will take on ninth-ranked (BCS) Kansas this Saturday at Kyle Field in what has suddenly turned out to be a very important contest for both schools. Kansas, currently sitting atop the standings in the Big 12 North and ranked highly in every major poll, will carry an unblemished record into the game and be looking to go 8-0 for the first time since 1909. The Aggies, who followed a sub-par performance against Texas Tech with a 36-14 hammering of Nebraska in Lincoln, are not only looking to maintain their first-place standing in the Big 12 South (currently tied with OU and OSU at 3-1), but realize a victory over the Jayhawks would set up a first-place showdown with the Oklahoma Sooners (bye week) the following weekend. The winner of that game - should the Ags get by Kansas - would have a much clearer path to the Big 12 title game in San Antonio. If you're looking for a little hope and in bad need a shot of the Maroon Kool Aide, then just sit there and enjoy the taste… Based on the way this season has played out, you might not think a win in the next two games is possible, but I can guarantee you that the players don't think that way. They know what they can accomplish and remember - about this same time a year ago - sitting on the goal line and being just two yards away from a win against OU and a shot at the Big 12 title game; they remember coming back from an 11-point deficit to beat the Kansas Jayhawks in Lawrence; they understand that they currently have virtually the same team that took the field last year against those two opponents; and they have the recent destruction of Nebraska still fresh on their minds and reinforcing the fact that they're still a strong and powerful team with potential. A win against Kansas and Oklahoma would make all of the preseason dreams a very real possibility. Call it a pipe-dream or play it off however you'd like, but a win in those two games would give the Ags a little wiggle room down the stretch of Big 12 play. Assuming Tech (games remaining against OU and Texas) and Oklahoma State (games remaining against OU, KU and Texas) drop a game, the Ags could potentially lose the game at Missouri and still be the South champion if they beat Texas at home to close the regular season. You'll say that's a lot to be asking for, and it is, I'll agree, but step one starts this weekend against Kansas…..and this time the game is at home. Step two would involve beating an OU team that most everyone feels is invincible, but A&M has at least taken the Sooners to the wire the last two seasons and OU has recently lost in Boulder and been taken to the limit at Iowa State. Anything is possible on any given Saturday in college football, especially when you're talking about a team that possesses the capabilities of controlling the football on the ground and minimizing turnovers like the Aggies do. But step 1 first…… Texas A&M offense versus the Kansas defense: The Texas A&M offense out-gained Kansas last season 386 total yards to 288, but a majority of the yards didn't come as you first might think. Stephen McGee tossed 45 passes and completed 25 for 240 of those 386 total yards. Earvin Taylor had 7 receptions for 43 yards and Martellus Bennett grabbed 6 for 67. That occurred for a variety of reasons… KU has one of the best defensive tackles in the league, James McClinton, and the three current linebackers - Joe Mortenson, James Holt and Mike Rivera - are active, can get off blocks and are the top three tacklers on the team. Further, KU was/is more vulnerable against the pass than they have been/are against the run. KU allows a miniscule 78.0 yards per game on the ground and currently possesses the top-ranked defense in the Big 12 conference, allowing 256.1 yards per game. At the start of this season, AggieSportsNews.com labeled Kansas as a sleeper team in the North and that pick was largely based upon the fact that the KU defense - which finished 3rd in the conference last season - returned a majority of its players. The schedule strength may bring those current defensive statistics into question, but when you evaluate the KU performance of a season ago against a complete Big 12 schedule it's easy to see that the Hawks are legitimate. It will be difficult for A&M to generate a 400 yard game against what has turned out to be a tough Kansas defense, but the Aggies did average 4.7 yards per carry on 31 attempts (146 yards) in a fairly productive game last year. 49 of those yards, however, came on two Mike Goodson runs. A&M's approach in '06 was to go to the air and they opened the game with 4-straight pass attempts and threw it on 6 of their first 8 plays. It will be interesting to see what the Ags elect to do this season, but I believe that no matter the choice A&M will still hold the advantage. I'd expect the Aggies to at least test the middle of the Kansas defense with either the zone-read to Jorvorskie Lane or with some counter plays. Kansas must account for what Stephen McGee accomplished last weekend against Nebraska and that may open up the middle for the big man. Establishing a few plays up the gut would at least offer opportunities for play-action down the field if A&M is thinking as they were last season. Advantage: Texas A&M Texas A&M defense versus the Kansas offense: As mentioned above, the Aggies were somewhat successful last season in holding Kansas to 288 total yards, but it appears as if the Jayhawks have taken it up another level. KU is currently third in the Big 12 and averaging 489.7 yards per game, trailing only Missouri and Texas Tech. QB Todd Reesing of Austin Lake Travis is completing 58% of his passes and has tossed 17 touchdowns while only throwing 4 interceptions. His favorite target is 6' 4" 210 pound wide receiver Marcus Henry, but TE Derek Fine and Dallas' (South Oak Cliff) Dexton Fields are just as dangerous. The most important item of interest for A&M this week, however, should be in stopping the run. KU had success last season running right at A&M and running backs Jake Sharp and Brandon McAnderson both average over 6 yards per carry. The A&M defensive front must have their best game of the year and stop the Kansas run game if they're going to come out on top in this one. If the Aggies can stop the KU run and get an early lead then the Jayhawks may be forced to go to the air, opening themselves up to their weakest area -- pass protection. KU has allowed 14 sacks and is currently tied with Texas for last place in the conference. I'd look for Von Miller to get some serious looks on defense this weekend, especially in 3rd and long situations. Chris Harrington, Michael Bennett and Cyril Obiozor will need to have great games, not only against the run, but in pressuring the passer. Advantage: Texas A&M Special teams - other intangibles: Kansas kicker Scott Webb currently ranks first in the conference in scoring, having made 11 of 12 field goal attempts and averaging 10.1 points per game. On the other hand, punter Kyle Tucker is last in the conference at 37.6 yards per punt. Junior Marcus Herford averages 31.1 yards per kick return and has two touchdowns to his credit on the season. Raimond Pendleton is second in the conference with 12.1 yards per punt return. Kansas is first in the Big 12 conference with a +10 turnover margin (1.43 per game) and the Aggies are second at +10 (1.25 per game). This game is at Kyle Field and that could be the advantage that eventually puts A&M over the top. It's a critical contest for both teams and Kansas may not necessarily be ready for this big a game on the road. Advantage: Texas A&M PREDICTION: A crucial game for both clubs, but it's even more important for A&M. The winner has a legitimate chance to position themselves for a run at the championship game, but Kansas at least has a little cushion for error with an undefeated record. A&M must win or the early-season goals are all but gone. The game is at home and the Aggies have shown they don't lack in one very critical area - heart and determination. When you evaluate how much the Jayhawks have been tested and weigh that against the importance of this contest for A&M, then I think the safe pick is the Aggies. The A&M defense did have success last season in slowing Kansas, so that should be an even easier task at home. The Aggies may elect to throw, but they should still be able to accumulate yards on the ground. Texas A&M 27 - Kansas 21 |