Texas A&M @ Oklahoma State preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 10, 2009 ) Oklahoma State 36, Texas A&M 31

Oklahoma State set a slew of offensive records last time out. But, with the Big 12 portion of its schedule beginning, defense is about to become a much bigger priority.

The Cowboys (3-0) will get their first big test of the season when they welcome Big 12 foe Texas A&M (3-0) to Stillwater Thursday night.

Oklahoma State has rolled up 171 total points in wins over Washington State, Troy and Tulsa. The Cowboys offense scored on 10 straight possessions and posted school records in total offense, passing yards and touchdown passes en route to a 65-28 victory over Tulsa on Sept. 18.

New OSU offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen, who spent the last two years at Houston and also worked under Mike Leach at Texas Tech, has installed junior Brandon Weeden at quarterback. The first-year starter has thrown for 975 yards and 11 touchdowns in three games. Justin Blackmon has stepped up to take on the No. 1 receiver role vacated by Dez Bryant and has caught 24 passes for 431 yards and eight scores.

But Holgorsen’s system is not based solely on the passing attack. Senior running back Kendall Hunter has rushed for 473 yards and six touchdowns.

While Oklahoma State's offense has exploded, the defense has not been nearly as impressive. Opponents have gained a total of 1,123 yards - 711 passing - and are converting 40 percent of their third downs against the Cowboys' defense.

The Aggies, led by quarterback Jerrod Johnson, are primed to take advantage of that soft defense. Johnson was named the Big 12 preseason offensive player of the year and has lived up to the hype. He has passed for 865 yards and seven touchdowns, while rushing for 120 yards and a score to lead Texas A&M to three straight victories.

But Johnson had some mechanical difficulties with his throwing motion against Florida International on Sept. 18, leading to four interceptions in the third quarter. Head coach Mike Sherman insists that Johnson, who had surgery on his shoulder during the offseason, is not having any recurring problems.

Like the Cowboys, the Aggies have done most of their damage against a soft pre-conference slate. The Texas A&M defense ranks 10th nationally, but has yet to play an opponent with an offensive attack anywhere close to what Oklahoma State possesses.

First-year defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter has gotten most of the credit for the Aggies' strong defensive play, especially with Von Miller struggling with a sprained knee. The 2009 NCAA sack leader, Miller has yet to take down the quarterback in 2010.

The Cowboys won last season's meeting between the two teams, 36-31, at College Station.