Texas comes to Kyle Field
By: Brad Cox
Issue date: 11/25/09 Section: Sports
Much like Texas A&M's game against Texas Tech on Oct. 24, few people are giving the Aggies a chance against No. 3 Texas.
At Kyle Field on Thanksgiving night, the Longhorns will put their 11-0 record on the line against A&M, who has struggled with consistency all season.
"The challenge is they don't have any weaknesses," Aggie Head Coach Mike Sherman said about Texas. "Every area they're very strong in. If one side isn't up to par, the other side is beating you, whether it's special teams, offense or defense."
The Longhorns lead the Big 12 in scoring offense, rushing defense, total defense, kickoff returns, pass efficiency, turnover margin, opponent first downs, opponent third-down conversions, red zone offense and are near the top of almost every other statistical category.
The combination of quarterback Colt McCoy and receiver Jordan Shipley has Texas fans talking about Big 12 and BCS National Championship games as the end of the season nears.
"We've still a great window of opportunity here because we control our own destiny," Texas Head Coach Mack Brown said. "We have to continue to play hard, and we felt like sewing up the Big 12 South title really takes a lot of pressure off of this week, so we can go play and enjoy the game."
Texas' rush defense, which leads both the Big 12 and the nation, will have its hands full with the A&M rushing offense, which has excelled since A&M beat Texas Tech University.
The Longhorns give up an average of 50 rushing yards a game, almost 20 yards better than the No. 2 team. The Aggies are No. 2 in the Big 12 in rush offense with 190.45 yards a game.
The trio of sophomore running back Cyrus Gray, freshman running back Christine Michael and junior quarterback Jerrod Johnson has helped put A&M in bowl contention after beating Baylor 38-3 on Saturday.
Gray leads the team with 741 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Michael, who had a school-record 97-yard touchdown run against Baylor, has 684 yards and eight touchdowns.
At Kyle Field on Thanksgiving night, the Longhorns will put their 11-0 record on the line against A&M, who has struggled with consistency all season.
"The challenge is they don't have any weaknesses," Aggie Head Coach Mike Sherman said about Texas. "Every area they're very strong in. If one side isn't up to par, the other side is beating you, whether it's special teams, offense or defense."
The Longhorns lead the Big 12 in scoring offense, rushing defense, total defense, kickoff returns, pass efficiency, turnover margin, opponent first downs, opponent third-down conversions, red zone offense and are near the top of almost every other statistical category.
The combination of quarterback Colt McCoy and receiver Jordan Shipley has Texas fans talking about Big 12 and BCS National Championship games as the end of the season nears.
"We've still a great window of opportunity here because we control our own destiny," Texas Head Coach Mack Brown said. "We have to continue to play hard, and we felt like sewing up the Big 12 South title really takes a lot of pressure off of this week, so we can go play and enjoy the game."
Texas' rush defense, which leads both the Big 12 and the nation, will have its hands full with the A&M rushing offense, which has excelled since A&M beat Texas Tech University.
The Longhorns give up an average of 50 rushing yards a game, almost 20 yards better than the No. 2 team. The Aggies are No. 2 in the Big 12 in rush offense with 190.45 yards a game.
The trio of sophomore running back Cyrus Gray, freshman running back Christine Michael and junior quarterback Jerrod Johnson has helped put A&M in bowl contention after beating Baylor 38-3 on Saturday.
Gray leads the team with 741 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Michael, who had a school-record 97-yard touchdown run against Baylor, has 684 yards and eight touchdowns.
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