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Preview: Texas A&M (3-2) at Kansas State (3-3)
Posted October 14, 2009
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FACTS & STATS: Site: Bill Snyder Family Stadium (50,000) -- Manhattan, Kansas. Television:FCS. Home Record: A&M 3-1, KSU 2-0. Away Record: A&M 0-0, KSU 0-3. Neutral Record: A&M 0-1, KSU 1-0. Conference Record: A&M 0-1, KSU 1-1. Series Record: Texas A&M leads, 8-5.

GAME NOTES: The Texas A&M Aggies play their first true road game of the season this weekend, as they invade Manhattan to take on the Kansas State Wildcats in Big 12 play.

The Aggies have played four of their first five games at home, winning three of them, with the other coming at a neutral site. The team though, is coming off its first home loss, suffering a 36-31 setback to nationally-ranked Oklahoma State this past weekend. It was the second loss in a row for the Aggies, who opened the campaign with wins over New Mexico, Utah State and UAB.

As for KSU, it enters the weekend trying to rebound from its worst performance of the campaign. The Wildcats were blasted by Texas Tech, 66-14, last weekend, as they had a two-game win streak snapped. KSU is still a perfect 2-0 at home, so it will look to continue its success in Manhattan.

Saturday's game marks the 14th all-time meeting between KSU and Texas A&M on the gridiron, with the Aggies clinging to an 8-5 edge in the series.

The Aggies had some success moving the ball last weekend, gaining 382 total yards in a loss to OSU. Texas A&M fell well short of its inflated season average of 512.6 total ypg, but it was facing its toughest opponent to date. Quarterback Jerrod Johnson guided the Aggies in defeat by throwing for 273 yards and three touchdowns on 22-of-42 pass attempts. He has now completed 288 consecutive pass attempts without an interception, breaking the Big 12 record of 213. He has thrown for 14 touchdowns on the season, while displaying his versatility with 202 rushing yards and four more scores on the ground. Spreading out the ball has been a strength of Johnson', as five different players have caught at least 14 passes this season. Last weekend, it was Uzoma Nwachukwu's turn to shine, catching eight balls for 141 yards and a touchdown. It was a career day for the freshman, who leads the team with four receiving touchdowns on the season.

Texas A&M has had some issues on the defensive side of the ball and last weekend the unit was beat up for 448 yards by OSU. The Aggies, who are giving up 387.4 total ypg on the year, allowed 279 yards through the air and forced only turnover by OSU. The defense also failed to come up with a sack after entering the weekend with 16 to its credit. Von Miller has accounted for nine of the team's sacks, to go with 11 TFLs, but he was limited to just five tackles last weekend. Despite the presence of Miller, the Aggies have struggled against the pass, allowing 233.6 ypg through the air with only two interceptions for the defense.

The Wildcats did very little on offense in a blowout loss at Texas Tech last weekend, scoring just one touchdown behind a mere 284 total yards. Daniel Thomas, one of the Big 12's top rushers, was held in check, as he finished the game with just 49 yards on 11 carries. It was obviously a disappointing effort for Thomas, who has still rushed for 578 yards and four scores on the year. At quarterback, Carson Coffman and Grant Gregory both saw time last weekend and they combined for 16-of-24 tosses for 168 yards. Neither quarterback has had great success this year, combining for just four touchdowns and five picks, so it's anybody's guess on who will see a majority of the snaps. There is no primary target in the passing game, but Brandon Banks does lead the team with 24 receptions and 294 receiving yards.

KSU's defense was simply embarrassed by Texas Tech's pass-happy offense last weekend, as the unit was torched for 739 total yards, more than double its season average of 345.8 ypg allowed. The unit gave up 554 of those yards and eight scores through the air, as Texas Tech scored at least 14 points in each quarter. It was clearly the worst performance of the season for the Wildcats, who hadn't allowed more than 23 points in any game up to last weekend. The lone positive for the defense was a 17-yard interception return for a touchdown by Jeff Fitzgerald, who also had one of the team's two sacks. He is now tied for the team-lead with two sacks on the year.

The Aggies have the more balanced attack and they should be able to sneak out a win on the road with a solid all-around performance.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Texas A&M 33, Kansas State 24


 
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