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GAME DAY MATCHUPS

A&M's run game vs. OSU's run defense: The Aggies got a lift from Jorvorskie Lane last week in a power-set formation, but tailback Mike Goodson has to get going if A&M wants to consistently move the chains and keep the high-powered OSU offense on the sidelines. The return of senior offensive tackle Travis Schneider (leg injury) will help. OSU has improved its run defense by moving safety Andre Sexton to outside linebacker, where he has a team-leading 24 tackles. Edge: OSU

A&M's pass attack vs. OSU's pass defense: The health of quarterback Jerrod Johnson and wide receiver Ryan Tannehill could determine how well the Aggies do against a unit that allowed 387 yards passing against Houston and 277 last week to Troy. Senior safety Ricky Price, senior cornerback Jacob Lacey and junior cornerback Perrish Cox have a combined 74 career starts. Edge: Texas A&M

OSU's run game vs. A&M's run defense: The Cowboys run downhill behind quarterback Zac Robinson, who also is a threat to run but hasn't had to with three running backs who have at least 250 yards each and average 7.8 yards per carry as a group. "[Robinson] is a weapon with his arm and his feet and I think his brain," A&M head coach Mike Sherman said. "He seems like a very smart quarterback. He makes very few mistakes." Senior center David Washington is back after missing last year with an injury. He leads a solid line. Edge: OSU

OSU's pass attack vs. A&M's pass defense: Sophomore wide receiver Dez Bryant already has six touchdown catches, matching his total last season. He gets plenty of attention, which frees up tight end Brandon Pettigrew who will play on Sundays. Pettigrew has the frame (6-foot-6, 255 pounds) to help the running game. Freshman defensive back Trent Hunter gave the Aggies a lift last week with 17 tackles, but can he play the pass? Edge: OSU

Special teams: OSU has multiple playmakers in the kicking game. Bryant averages 19.1 yards per punt return, and Cox averages 34.2 yards per kickoff return. Both have returns for touchdowns this season. OSU has punted only 10 times, but every one has been effective. Matt Fodge has hit seven inside the 20 with the other three not returned because of fair catches. Dan Bailey is 5-of-6 kicking field goals but the longest is 27 yards. Edge: OSU

Intangibles: OSU head coach Mike Gundy is a combined 0-9 against A&M, Texas and Oklahoma. He needs this game. A record crowd will inspire a team that already will be focused after losing two straight one-point games to the Aggies. Edge: OSU

-- ROBERT CESSNA

GAME DAY KEYS

A&M must ...

Score, score, score. The Aggies can't afford scoring lulls because OSU's offense is too good. If A&M has any trick plays, don't save them for Halloween.

Be Good, son. The Aggies need a big game from tailback Mike Goodson, the former OSU pledge who has combined for 107 yards and no TDs on 25 touches in his first two games against the Cowboys.

Be physical. A&M has forced OSU's starting quarterback to leave the game in the last two meetings. Robinson's backups are a combined 3-of-6 passing for 40 yards with four carries for 18 yards.

OSU must ...

Not get fancy. The Aggies are 115th against the run for a reason. The Cowboys need to feed their talented running backs.

Dez-zle them. A few play-action passes should result in big gainers for wide receiver Dez Bryant. Last year, all-conference receiver Adarius Bowman had two first-half touchdown catches against the Aggies.

Do something special. Bryant and Perrish Cox are the league's best punt and kick returner, respectively. A big play from them could be the difference if A&M manages to stay close.

CESSNA'S PICKS

Here are the weekly picks by Robert Cessna (Last week: 6-1; Season: 32-3):

Texas A&M at Oklahoma State -- A&M might be glad this game isn't televised. FYI, Dennis Franchione lost his Big 12 opener at Texas Tech by a score of 59-28. Oklahoma State 55-32

Oklahoma at Baylor -- Sooners head coach Bob Stoops might be leery of being ranked No. 1, a bigger foe than the improving Bears. Oklahoma 52-21

Missouri at Nebraska -- Nebraska coach Bo Pelini says he's a sore loser. Chase Daniel is going to make the former free safety plenty mad. Missouri 52-35

Texas Tech at Kansas State -- The Red Raiders haven't been tested yet, and that still might be the case after this game. Texas Tech 49-28

Texas at Colorado -- Colorado was able to wrestle Darrell Scott away from UT in recruiting. Now the Longhorns have superior talent at only 21 positions over the Buffs. Texas 42-21

Kansas at Iowa State -- An interesting matchup. ISU won its last two home games last season in Big 12 play. Kansas 30-21

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3 comment(s) found!

Posted by: miller58 On: 10/4/2008

Comment Title:
My personal opinions: Sean, I heard multiple Greenbay analysis saying in agreement that, the two biggest reasons Mike Sherman was fired, was due to his "inability to instill team discipline" and "his inability to evaluate player personel". They went on to say that Greenbay had lost multiple game over the years just due to these two coaching failures. That "the reason that Greenbay showed immediate improvement upon his firing, was due to their new coach instilling discipline on the team and especially on Farve." But you did get one thing right at least, it is "coup"! miller58

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Posted by: Sean On: 10/4/2008

Comment Title: Another no-nothing know-it-all
So glad we've got people like miller58 to let us all know what's wrong. Surely his opinion--after paying attention to Mike Sherman for a few months--is way more astute than that of the people who having been watching him for years. Kubiak, Favre, Holmgren; what do these guys know about football? PS. it's "coup"

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Posted by: miller58 On: 10/4/2008

Comment Title: Instant Losing Program *** Spray for happy ex employees!
My personal opinions: Happy ex employees, I apologize for ever calling you losers. After all you just scored a big political coux with this hire. After 10 months, your political hire produced a staff that can't recruit, 17 decommits he couldn't re-recruit, a spring training, over 80 offers to current recruits, more decommits, a team that looks like it hasn't even had spring training, produced 2 loses including a fourth ranked sunbelt tean and and a #109 ranked team. Bill Byrne should go to walmart and buy instant anti losing program spray, with anti decommit and anti political hire added! Or just hire a head coach this time that can hit the ground recruiting and coaching at the college level, and not just a political hire that has only ex employees smiling! miller58

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