Game Preview: Texas Long Horns at Texas A&M

Texas (11-0) at Texas A&M (6-5), Thursday November 26, 8:00PM

The math has gotten pretty simple for the Texas Longhorns.  Just keep winning and you get to play for a national championship…probably facing Alabama or Florida.  Considering most people think the Big 12 North is a bit of joke this may be the last big hurdle, a big-time rivalry game on the road against the team that loves to beat them the most.  Texas A&M is only 6-5 but they have proved that they can score with a pass happy offense.  Will it be enough to keep them in the game?

Of all the undefeated teams I have seen I have been the least impressed with Texas.  I do think they are probably better Cincinatti and Boise State but I just haven’t been blown away when I see them.  Colt McCoy seems to be getting better as the season progresses and the defense is doing the same.  They seem to be the kind of team that can beat you in a variety of ways and you never know until the game is over which facet of their team will shine.  This team is loaded with next level talent but it is not of the eye popping variety like when VY was running the campus…but they should win this game easily.

A&M is already bowl eligible but a victory against Texas would be a fantastic ending to a nice rebound season.  The Wrecking Crew defense may be a thing of the past but the offense, behind QB Jerrod Johnson, can put yards and points up on the board ranking 7th and 17th nationally in those categories.  Unfortunately for them a lot of that damage is done through the air where Texas is especially strong.  The Texas defense is ranked third in the nation so this will be a real test and the Aggies haven’t really risen to match the better teams on their schedule.  The rivalry will give them some juice but it won’t be enough.

Game Prediction: Texas is not going to get this close to the championship and let it slip away, not with a senior QB who is about to become the winningest QB in college football history.  That being said I think there will be enough energy to keep this thing tight for the first half.  I see 17-17 at the half before the Longhorns rip some big plays, likely McCoy to Jordan Shipley in the third.  A&M won’t give up but they can’t afford a bad quarter when the talent difference is as great as it is.

Score Prediction:
Texas40
Texas A&M24

The spread is +21 for the Aggies…I like this play.

News/Notes:

-A&M has covered last two at home including an upset win two years ago
-Home team is 9-2 ATS in their last 11 meetings.
-Aggies are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.

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