'09 Opponent Preview: Texas A&M

Aggies at a Glance
Head Coach	Mike Sherman
At Texas A&M	2nd Year / 4-8 Overall
2008 Record	4-8 Overall, 2-6 Big 12
Home/Road/Neutral	2-5 / 2-3 / 0-0
Off Starters Ret/Lost	9 / 2
Def Starters Ret/Lost	7 / 4
Lettermen Returning	N/A
Off/Def/Spec	N/A
Lettermen Lost	N/A

2008 Team Stats
	Stat	NCAA	Big 12
Total Offense	340.92	78	11
Rushing Offense	88.50	114	12
Passing Offense	252.42	27	8
Points/Game	25.00	64	11
Total Defense	461.92	114	11
Rushing Defense	219.25	114	12
Passing Defense	242.67	95	4
Pts Allowed/Game	37.42	114	9

Returning Stat Leaders
Rushing	Cyrus Gray (363 yds, 1 TD)
Passing	Jerrod Johnson (2,435 yds, 21 TDs)
Receiving	Ryan Tannehill (844 yards, 5 TDs)
Tackles	Matt Featherston (94)
Sacks	Von Miller (3.5)
INTs	Trent Hunter (3)

NORMAN, Okla. -- SoonerSports.com continues its 2009 football season preview with an in-depth look at OU's Week 10 matchup against Texas A&M.

Game Buildup

After a three-week stretch against the Big 12 North, the Sooners return to their own division for the final three weeks of the regular season. First up is a home date with the Texas A&M Aggies.

Season Outlook

In his first season at A&M, head coach Mike Sherman made it clear that the best players would play regardless of age or experience. Sure, the Aggies took some lumps during a 4-8 season, but a number of underclassmen gained valuable experience that will only benefit them moving forward.

With another strong recruiting class arriving in College Station this fall, Sherman is steadily infusing talent into the program and could have the Aggies back in a bowl game as early as this season.

Player to Watch

Ryan Tannehill | WR/QB | No. 17 | Sophomore
In the last year, Tannehill has gone from quarterback to receiver to not knowing where he'll be in 2009.

One thing is certain, however -- no matter where he lines up on the field, Tannehill is sure to make plays. Built in the same mold as Kansas' Kerry Meier, Tannehill is a supremely talented athlete who can break a game open with his speed on the outside or step in and not miss a beat at quarterback if needed.

Tannehill set school records for receptions (55) and receiving yards (844) by a freshman last season but heads into fall camp in a battle for the starting quarterback job with incumbent Jerrod Johnson.

Other Key Players

Von Miller

Jerrod Johnson

Matt Featherston

DB Terrence Frederick, So.

OT Lucas Patterson, Jr.

DB Jordan Pugh, Sr.

WR Jeff Fuller, So.

Trent Hunter

TE Jamie McCoy, Sr.

Cyrus Gray

Scouting A&M's Offense

Regardless of whether it's Tannehill or Johnson lining up under center, the QB position will be in good hands.

Johnson proved he is more than capable of handling the responsibility last year, throwing for 2,435 yards and 21 TDs. Along with Tannehill, fellow sophomore Jeff Fuller has the potential to be one of the best receivers in the Big 12. He finished second on the team in receptions and yards but put his gamebreaking ability on display with nine TDs. Jamie McCoy, a former QB himself, gives the Aggies a big, athletic target at the tight end position. He finished third on the team with 43 catches for 500 yards a year ago.

Another pair of talented youngsters will carry the load at running back. Sophomore Cyrus Gray takes over the starting job with the departure of Mike Goodson to the NFL. Gray made his biggest impact in the kicking game last season, setting a Texas A&M record with 1,169 return yards, including a 98-yard return for a TD against the Sooners. Prized recruit Christine Michael also looks to make an immediate impact in his first season of college football.

The Aggies will do some shifting on the offensive line but have a solid anchor in senior center Kevin Matthews, a Rimington Trophy candidate.

Scouting A&M's Defense

Texas A&M's defense is more talented than they showed in 2008, and the coaches have made a concerted effort over the offseason to better utilize their speed and athleticism.

Several players have switched positions, most notably Von Miller and Matt Featherston. Both played exclusively at linebacker last year but have moved over to the Jack position, a hybrid DE/LB role that is critical to the Aggies' defensive scheme. Miller is a freakish athlete who possesses the size of a defensive lineman and the speed of a defensive back. Featherston started all 12 games at middle linebacker a year ago, tying for the team-lead with 94 tackles.

The remaining defensive line and linebacker spots will be filled mostly by underclassmen.

A&M's biggest strength is in the secondary, with Jordan Pugh, Trent Hunter and Terrence Frederick all back from a group that finished fourth in the conference against the pass, no small feat in the Big 12 South. Pugh is the senior leader and, after starting every game at cornerback last season, moves back to his natural free safety position in 2009. Hunter earned Freshman All-America honors a year ago after leading the team in interceptions (3) and finishing third in tackles (65). Frederick also had a solid true freshman campaign, accounting for 33 tackles as the nickelback. He moves into a full-time starting role this year.

Game Implications

Heading down the home stretch, both teams hope to be peaking at the right time and position themselves for the postseason. OU looks to carry some momentum into a tough road contest at Texas Tech, while the Aggies finish up with a pair of big home games against Baylor and arch-rival Texas.

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Stay tuned throughout the summer as we provide an in-depth look at each of OU's 2009 opponents.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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