There was a time when Texas A&M; was the power of the Big 12 South. It played for the conference title twice in the league’s first four years and spent more time atop the South division’s standings than either Oklahoma or Texas.
But those were the glory days in College Station, Texas. It’s been a decade since the Aggies posted a 10-win season and the same length of time since they played for the conference title.
Neither streak will snap this season. Texas A&M; (4-5, 3-2 Big 12) is in the middle of another rebuilding process.
But that never seems to matter when the Sooners venture to Kyle Field.
“It’s always challenging to go to College Station,” OU coach Bob Stoops said. “We’ve been in this situation and it’s always exciting.”
Sooner-Aggie games have been nothing short of barn-burners in eight years at Kyle Field. All four were decided by a touchdown or less and all of them went down to the final play.
Those games, however, came under very different circumstances. Most expect that string of trip-wire tight games to end. OU is nearly a four-touchdown favorite for a reason.
The Aggies’ two-game winning streak is the only reason the spread isn’t higher.
They rank 102nd or worst in both major defensive categories (yards allowed and points allowed). They’ve scored points (26.8), but struggled by the Big 12’s lofty standards.
Still, this is the kind of game that can make people forget about the struggles this season.
Quarterback Jerrod Johnson remembers being in the stands for OU’s 42-35 victory over the Aggies in 2004. The Sooners rallied from a pair 14-point deficits to escape.
“That’s probably the loudest I’ve heard Kyle Field,” he said. “I was in awe of it and wished I could have been part of it.”
Last week’s 24-17 victory over Colorado actually gave the Aggies something to celebrate at home for one of the few times all season. They’re just 2-4 at Kyle Field with losses to Arkansas State, Miami, Kansas State and Texas Tech.
It wasn’t unusual for the Aggies to go several seasons without losing a home game back in their heyday, but getting past the Buffaloes brought a feeling usually reserved for wins over the Sooners or arch-rival Texas.
“That was really special,” Sherman said. “I think they enjoyed the feeling they had after winning that ballgame. We have a chance this week to play a very, very good opponent that is a top 5 team and one of the best ones I’ve seen on tape this year. This would be a very special moment if we could beat this team. Certainly it’s a formidable task, but these things do happen.”
When the sixth-ranked Sooners (8-1, 4-1) meet the Aggies at 2:30 p.m. Saturday there will be a strange feeling. Either OU will dominate or the string of wild, down-to-the-wire finishes at Kyle Field will continue.
Few will be shocked by either.
John Shinn
366-3536
jshinn@normantranscript.com
OU Sports
A&M has some confidence
- OU Sports
-
-
Winning is only option
Every locker room in college basketball has the same topic floating around. It’s February. All are thinking about March Madness. Of course, some are thinking about their immediate future. Others are simply dreaming....
-
Sooners will test their mettle against country’s best at National Duals
Dual State is today....
-
Mizzou back on deck after another blowout loss to Baylor
Not again? Yes, again. For the second time this season, the Oklahoma women will have to put aside a disheartening and embarrassing loss to Baylor and get on with the rest of their season....
-
Sooners cruise past competition at Perfect 10
OKLAHOMA CITY — Compared to the rest of its schedule, Oklahoma was supposed to have a relatively easy night. Both Iowa State and Southeast Missouri are in the midst of down seasons. With little chance of losing, the fifth-ranked Sooners ...
-
Ricketts breaks record in season debut
LAS VEGAS — Well, it was going to happen. And still, it didn’t take long....
-
Schedule easing up for Sooners
For some time, the Oklahoma women have been done no favors by their schedule. That may still be the case, but not for much longer....
-
Sooners using roller-coaster season as motivation
Oklahoma’s women’s gymnastics team has been anything but consistent. After dominating its season opener, the Sooners fell to No. 7 Oregon State and No. 9 Nebraska before trouncing then-No. 2 Arkansas....
-
Sooners open season with World Series aspirations
The Sooners haven’t even taken the field yet, but there is already talk of a national championship floating around the Oklahoma locker room. The Sooners will take the first step toward that goal when they open the season at 1:15 p.m. ...
-
Sooners have to eliminate mistakes that are costing them wins
It was a typical practice for Oklahoma on Thursday. The long workout had a lot of energy and precision. It mirrored many it has had over the last three months....
-
Move to Big 12 is chance at stability
Maybe this Internet thing’s really going to make it after all. Maybe even as a news source....
- More OU Sports Headlines
-
Winning is only option
