A&M's run game vs. OU's run defense: The Aggies have averaged only 113.7 yards rushing in their losses. Quarterback Jerrod Johnson was limited to minus 25 yards on 35 carries (10 sacks) against Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Kansas State and Colorado. Oklahoma's front seven will be the best the Aggies have faced, even with senior end Auston English lost to a season-ending injury this week. Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is an All-American and end Jeremy Beal has 14.5 tackles for losses. Edge: Oklahoma
A&M's pass attack vs. OU's pass defense: Johnson will have to use his size and speed to elude OU's defense, which has 34 quarterback pressures, 32 pass breakups and 13 interceptions. A&M's Ryan Tannehill is coming off a nine-catch, 100-yard game, but big games are needed out of Uzoma Nwachukwu and Jeff Fuller for A&M to stretch OU's aggressive secondary. OU cornerback Dominique Franks is up for the Thorpe Award. Edge: Texas A&M
OU's run game vs. A&M's run defense: The Sooners have topped 200 yards rushing only once in the last seven games, and that was against Baylor, which is 82nd in the country against the rush. OU has been held under 100 yards rushing in three of the last four games. OU's offensive line has been depleted by injuries. Left tackle Trent Williams has 35 career starts, but OU's other four starting offensive linemen have combined for only 19. A&M, 75th nationally in run defense, needs big games from its tackles and linebackers to keep OU's running game in check. Edge: Even
OU's pass attack vs. A&M's pass defense: The lack of a powerful running game has forced the Sooners to rely on the pass and redshirt freshman quarterback Landry Jones. He had five interceptions last week against Nebraska. The Sooners have done a good job protecting the quarterback, allowing only 10 sacks. Wide receiver Ryan Broyles (52 catches, 665 yards, 10 TDs) is much better than Colorado's Markues Simas, who shredded the Aggies for 135 yards on seven catches. OU's inexperienced linemen will have their hands full containing A&M's Von Miller, who leads the nation with 15.5 sacks. Edge: Oklahoma
Special teams: There is potential for fireworks every time there's a kick. OU has two of the nation's best punt returners in Dominique Franks (17.0) and Ryan Broyles (13.8). They'll be working against an A&M unit that's only 71st in net punting nationally. OU's Tress Way is averaging 43.8 yards, which helps OU rank 11th in net punting (39.0). A&M's Cyrus Gray had a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a 98-yarder against OU last year. A&M place-kicker Randy Bullock has hit 9 of 12 field goals with a long of 50. OU hasn't hit a field goal beyond 40 yards. Edge: Oklahoma
Intangibles: The winner is bowl-eligible, probably at least earning a shot at the Alamo Bowl. OU has won 28 straight at home, which is the nation's best streak. The Aggies are 1-3 away from Kyle Field and have dropped five straight at Norman, getting outscored 237-60. The Sooners lost three more starters to injuries this week, pushing the season total to five. Still, OU is a 20-point pick. Texas Tech, though, was favored by more and A&M won by 22. Edge: Oklahoma
-- Robert Cessna
Notice about comments:
Theeagle.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. theeagle.com cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not theeagle.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Full terms and conditions can be read here.
Aggiesports.com is proud to offer our users enhanced commenting features. You can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends’ recent posts, add an avatar that fits your personality and more. If you have posted here before you’ll need to sign up again, and if you’ve never posted start now by signing up! If you've already registered for the new comments on www.theeagle.com then just use your Eagle username to log in and start commenting.
