Texas A&M @ Kansas preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 27, 2007 ) Kansas 19, Texas A&M 11

Texas A&M looks to snap a three-game losing streak when it visits lowly Kansas Saturday in a Big 12 matchup.

The Aggies (3-3, 0-2) appeared headed for a bowl game when they ripped through a soft pre-conference schedule and hung tough at Oklahoma State before falling 38-35 on Sept. 30. Then they lost two straight to ranked opponents.

Against Arkansas on Oct. 9, the Aggies turned the ball over four times and managed just three second-half points in a 24-17 loss. In last week’s 30-9 home loss to Missouri, the Aggies did not reach the end zone until the outcome was long decided. Quarterback Jerrod Johnson threw for 322 yards, but most of those came in the fourth quarter.

The Aggies’ secondary was exposed by Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert, who threw for 361 yards and three touchdowns. Perhaps the only positive was that Texas A&M did not commit a turnover after coughing up 18 in the first five games.

With Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Baylor, Nebraska and Texas looming on the schedule, the Aggies need to stop the bleeding now.

Kansas could be a panacea. The Jayhawks (2-4, 0-2) have been outscored 114-14 the last two games and have lost nine straight conference games.

Last week’s 59-7 pummeling at the hands of Kansas State was one of the most lopsided defeats in a series that began in 1902. Kansas allowed six rushing touchdowns and was shut out until Angus Quigley rushed for a 5-yard score with 2:45 left in the game.

The Aggies should get a big day rushing from Christine Michael, and Johnson should get back into a passing rhythm. After all, Kansas allowed the Wildcats to complete 15 of 17 throws.

Texas A&M leads the alltime series 7-2, but the Jayhawks won the last meeting, 19-11 in 2007.