The Aggies open Big 12 play against Oklahoma State

The Aggies open conference play Saturday against the 15/13 ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys. The Aggies and Cowboys football game will be at 11:30 a.m. at Kyle Field. It will be broadcast on the Fox Sports TV Network.

This will be one of the most crucial tests this season for head coach Mike Sherman. If he is to prove that the Aggies (3-1, 0-0 Big 12) have moved up in the Big 12 South Division, he absolutely must beat OSU (3-1, 0-0 Big 12) at home. The beleaguered coach will have no excuses if he ends up in last place again in the South Division.

Sherman’s first goal during the week was to get last week’s 47-19 blowout loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks out of the players’ heads. Sherman responded with an announcement that he may start two – possibly three − true freshmen in the offensive line. Freshman right guard Patrick Lewis may join freshman left tackle Stephen Barrera. If Lewis starts, he will be replacing junior Matt Allen. The only explanation Sherman gave was that Lewis played well against Arkansas. Sherman reportedly is considering true freshman Rhontae Scales at right tackle. Sherman has played 16 true freshmen this season.

Weak O-line play plagued Sherman last year. In 2008, the Aggies finished the year ranked 101 in rushing and 107 in total offense in the NCAA. They were dead last in the Big 12 in both categories. The Aggies were last place in the Big 12 (109 in the NCAA) in quarterback sacks allowed. Already, this year the Aggies are 77 in the NCAA and 9 in the Big 12 in rushing.

The Aggie 77th ranked defense will have to stop OSU’s 25th ranked rushing offense led by Keith Toston. Cowboys’ All-America receiver Dez Bryant has been ruled ineligible due to inappropriate contact with a former NFL player. He was a dangerous player who burned the Aggies for four touchdowns last year. The Cowboys won the 2008 game 58-28, after coming off a 28-7 half-time lead. Bryant was ranked 18 th in the NCAA in all purpose yards at 159 per game. Coach Mike Gundy expects sophomore receiver Dameron Fooks to step into Bryant’s place.

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OSU will be rested. They are coming off a bye-week. The Cowboys’ only loss was to a ranked Houston team at home. This is the fifth year for coach Gundy who has a 2-2 record in Big 12 openers, although he is riding a two-game winning streak. OSU was 2-2 on the road last year with losses only to No. 1 Texas and Texas Tech. The only comparison games between these two teams is Georgia. OSU defeated Georgia 24-10. Arkansas lost to Georgia 41-52. The Aggies lost to Arkansas 47-19.

College Football News ranks the Aggies 54. The Jeff Sagarin Poll ranks the Aggies 62.

The Cowboys are 3-10 against the Aggies since the Big 12 was formed. During the past seven years, OSU has outscored the Aggies 221-217. The Aggies lead the all-time series 27-17 and lead 9-2 at Kyle Field.

By Jay Goode
Big 12 Fans Texas A&M Correspondent

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