1) Matchup of the Game is the Oklahoma State Front 5 versus the Texas A&M Front 6 (Nickel) or 7 -- Between the trenches is where this game will be on or lost for either side. Oklahoma State's offensive line returns every starter from last season, are just as experienced and more talented than the SMU squad the Aggies faced to open the season, and have only allowed 3 sacks on the young season, or 1 a game for the Cowboys. Not only are they great pass protectors of Brandon Weeden, but they are also great in the ground game allowing RB Joseph Randle to run for 125 yards per game. As great as they are, they are still going to have loads of trouble up front with Tony Jerod-Eddie, Eddie Brown, Jerome Mathis, Kirby Ennis and off the edge in Sean Porter and Damontre Moore. It will be interesting to see how the Cowboys come out to start the game -- will they mass protect Weeden, keeping tight ends in? Will they try to get Weeden out of the pocket a little on some designed roll outs? Will they try to slow down the Aggie defense from the get go with screens and draws? What the Aggies can't do, and this falls on the linebackers, is get the Cowboy ground game going. If Joseph Randle is able to pick up 5 yards a carry or greater, then this defense is going to have some problems slowing down the Cowboy attack. A lot of that will have to do with how the Aggies line up pre-snap either in their base 3-4 defense or come out in nickel packages even on first down. Should be interesting, as most of these things will have been planned during the week -- let's see whose coaching staff starts off with the edge.
2) Confidence in the attack -- I don't know about any of you, but over the course of this week I have grown increasingly confident about this game, even more confident before Nebraska last year. I am sure the team feels as confident, and will have to carry that into the game and play with swag. I think the best line of the week came from Coach Sherman in his weekly press conference when he said: "This team has never played Oklahoma State before" and he couldn't be more right. THIS team, the same team that went on a 6 game winning streak to close out the year in front of pack houses for the Oklahoma and Nebraska game, has never played the Cowboys. It was the old team that was on the cusp of greatness, but coming off an almost upset to FIU at Kyle and then producing 5 turnovers on the road and self-destructing in front of a national audience, that has played Oklahoma State before. I believe in THIS team and I know they believe in themselves too. Sometimes, that is the determining factor. Trent Hunter said it best when he tweeted yesterday: "I feel like this is a test I already know the answers to". They have to feel that way from start to finish. No matter what happens during this game, they can't have any high highs or any low lows. Keep it on an even keel, don't let emotions get the best of you either way, and let Kyle Field carry you to the W.
3) The 12th Man -- Many fans were upset to start the week when it was announced that this game would be kicking off at 2:30 and not 7:00. We all know that Kyle Field is best at night, and it is right up there with Death Valley in that regard. However, when you think back throughout all of Kyle Field history, except for Nebraska last year all of Texas A&M's "Coming Out Parties" have happened during this 2:30 kick. I'm talking about Nebraska in '98 and Oklahoma in '02. Those were two of the best games in all of Kyle Field history, and they occurred during the day. In both of those contests, Kyle Field was never louder. I know Aggieland is ready for the first Top 10 matchup since 1975, and they will be ready today. But everyone attending the game has to realize how much of a role they play in bringing home a win versus a Top 10 team. Not only do you affect the other team, but you inspire the Wrecking Crew on the field. Whatever happens today, keep yelling like it is the last play of the game that decides our fate. Be loud, be proud, and that the nation know that this is Texas A&M, and we have once again arrived.
BTHO OKLAHOMA STATE!
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