Sooners Face Aggies in College Station

NORMAN, Okla. -- Texas A&M still has a legitimate shot at the Big 12 South title, if the Aggies can overcome two embarrassing losses and repeat what they did two years ago.

Before that overtime loss at underdog Baylor last weekend, Texas A&M (6-2, 4-1 Big 12) had won six straight games and was on track for a matchup of undefeated conference teams for the outright South Division lead Saturday at home against No. 2 Oklahoma (8-0, 5-0).

But the Aggies still can avenge that 77-0 loss at Oklahoma last season and tie for the division lead. And remember, before handing Texas A&M its worst loss in school history, then top-ranked Oklahoma lost at Kyle Field two years ago.

Sooner Gameday Central: Texas A&M | OU Quotes | Game Notes

Texas (7-1, 4-1) is home Saturday against Oklahoma State (6-2, 3-2), which came up a field goal short last week against the Sooners. Had the Cowboys pulled out a win over their instate rival, there would have been a four-way tie for the South Division lead since the Aggies lost.

In the North, only Nebraska (5-3, 3-2) has a winning record overall or in the conference. The Cornhuskers play at surging Iowa State (4-4, 2-3), which has gone from a 13-game conference losing streak to two straight wins and a chance to tie for the division lead.

There are three other Big 12 games Saturday. Kansas State (3-5, 1-4) is at Missouri (4-4, 2-3); Colorado (4-4, 1-4) goes to Kansas (3-5, 1-4); and Texas Tech (5-3, 3-2) is home against Baylor (3-5, 1-4).

Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione has tried to keep his team focused on this Saturday's game, not the past ones, the good of 2002 or bad of 2003.

"I don't know how much value there is in rehashing those things," Franchione said. "They're in your memory bank. You can draw from them. You don't erase them. But for us to talk about them is really wasted time. We need to talk about this week. It's a full-time job getting ready for this team."

The Aggies aren't looking ahead. They learned that the hard way last week. But after Oklahoma, their remaining games are Texas Tech and Texas, the only other division team with just one Big 12 loss.

This looks like the toughest remaining test for Oklahoma to remain undefeated in the regular season. After A&M, the Sooners have Nebraska and Baylor, the only Big 12 team eliminated for title contention and unlikely to pull off another huge upset.

"This is another one of those games that will make a difference in the Big 12 South," Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. Texas A&M is "much improved from a year ago. Six straight wins up until last week, so we see that as an excellent team."

The Aggies had just one turnover in seven games before they lost two fumbles at Baylor and Reggie McNeal threw his first interception.

Texas has lost five straight in the Red River Shootout, but has dominated the series against the Big 12's other team from Oklahoma.

The Longhorns have a 16-2 advantage against Oklahoma State, a 55-21 romp on the road last year being their sixth straight win in the series. Texas is 29-4 post-Sooners the past five seasons.

There should be plenty of ground gains in Austin. Texas' Cedric Benson is second nationally with 162 yards rushing per game and 12 touchdowns, and Oklahoma State's Vernand Morency is fifth with 156 yards and 11 TDs a game.

Texas Tech, which has already scored 70 points twice at home, will try to keep Baylor from a couple of firsts: winning back-to-back Big 12 games and winning a league road game.

If Iowa State wins at Nebraska and Missouri can break its three-game losing streak by beating Kansas State, there will be a three-way tie for the North Division lead.

With the Cyclones and Baylor winning, Missouri now has the league's longest losing streak.

Kansas State has to win the rest of its games to avoid a losing overall record for the first time since Big 12 play started in 1996. Kansas, which has lost six of eight to Colorado in the league, is just one loss from its ninth straight losing record.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Sooners Face Aggies in College Station

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