Aggies face OSU in Big 12 opener

AP photo BIG GAME — Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman (above, right) and the Aggies visit Oklahoma State in Stillwater on Saturday for the Big 12 Conference opener for both schools. STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — As Oklahoma State continues what it believes will be a climb up the pecking order in the Big 12 Conference, one of the teams it will have to leapfrog is Texas A&M.

Saturday's game in Stillwater kicks off at 5 p.m.

The Aggies have beaten Oklahoma State (4-0) each of the last four years, winning the last two by a single point. But Texas A&M (2-2) will face a confident Oklahoma State team on Saturday sporting a No. 21 ranking — its first poll appearance since November 2004 — and one of the nation's top offenses.

Conversely, the Aggies appear to be a program on the decline under first-year coach Mike Sherman, having lost to Arkansas State and struggled to beat Army in nonconference play. Texas A&M is last in the Big 12 in scoring, rushing, passing and total offensive yards and in both scoring defense and rushing defense.

Considering the numbers, it's not surprising the Cowboys were a 25-point favorite over Texas A&M as of Thursday night. Oklahoma State is seeking what would be the eighth 5-0 start in school history and the first since 2004.

Last season at Texas A&M, the Cowboys jumped to a 17-0 lead, but allowed the Aggies to rally in the second half and win 24-23. Oklahoma State safety Quinton Moore was called for roughing punter Justin Brantly with 1:46 left and the Aggies nursing a 1- point lead. The Aggies ran out the clock and matched their largest comeback ever.

Oklahoma State's resurgence has been built on its offense, with coach Mike Gundy responsible for calling the plays. The Cowboys have scored more than 50 points in their last three games, only the second time in school history that's happened. (The first came during the first three games of Barry Sanders' Heisman Trophy season in 1988, with Gundy playing quarterback.)

Two Oklahoma State running backs, Kendall Hunter and Keith Toston, rank 1-2 in the Big 12 in rushing, with Hunter third in the Football Bowl Subdivision at 154.5 yards per game. Oklahoma State is tops among major colleges in rushing yards and fourth in total offense at 562.5 yards per game.

Should the Cowboys throw the ball, they've got a capable quarterback in Zac Robinson and two ace receiving targets in wideout Dez Bryant — who has caught three touchdown passes in a game twice this season — and tight end Brandon Pettigrew, who could return to the lineup after missing last Saturday's win over Troy with a sprained ankle.

Texas A&M certainly doesn't want the game to turn into a high-scoring affair. The Aggies are averaging 297.8 yards per game and have had to deal with a revolving door at quarterback because of injuries.

Senior Stephen McGee, who started 29 straight games, suffered a shoulder injury three weeks ago against New Mexico and missed the next game, against Miami, before returning against Army, only to reinjure the shoulder in the first half. His backup, sophomore Jerrod Johnson, actually has taken more snaps than McGee but also is dealing with a balky shoulder.

About the only consistent offensive player for the Aggies has been running back Mike Goodson, who is the Aggies' leading rusher (220 yards) and receiver (140 yards).

Even with Texas A&M down, Gundy isn't taking anything for granted.

"I think our football team is better now than we have been in the last few years at this time," he said. "I like where our football program is in general. I still say you're going to find out how good you are as the season goes on.

"From this point on, the teams get bigger, faster, stronger and have much more depth. It's important for us to prepare well and to stay focused."