By John Shinn
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
