Oklahoma State @ Texas A&M preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 30, 2010 ) Texas A&M 35, Oklahoma State 38

THE STORY: No one knows how long the Big 12 will be able to stay together in its current form. But if this is the last season, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State have a good shot at winning the conference on the way out the door. The seventh-ranked Cowboys lead the nation in passing behind quarterback Brandon Weeden and wide receiver Justin Blackmon, and are averaging 52.3 points. The eighth-ranked Aggies can pass with the best of them and have dominated the other side of the ball, ranking in the Top-10 nationally in points allowed. Both schools will be looking to keep their national title hopes alive in College Station on Saturday.

TV: ABC. LINE: Texas A&M -4.5

ABOUT OKLAHOMA STATE (3-0, 0-0 Big 12): A lengthy weather delay forced the Cowboys to play into the early morning against Tulsa last week, but that didn’t stop Weeden from putting together his third-straight game of 350 or more passing yards in the 59-33 win. The offense has converted 59 percent of its third downs and 10 different players have scored. Oklahoma State seemed to tire on defense with the late start against Tulsa, getting gashed for 365 yards on the ground, including a pair of long touchdown runs.

ABOUT TEXAS A&M (2-0, 0-0 Big 12): The Aggies are allowing 9.5 points a game, but will be facing much tougher offensive competition in the Cowboys. Ryan Tannehill has thrown for 583 yards and four TDs against one INT, and running back Cyrus Gray could see plenty of work against the Cowboys' suspect run defense. Gray will be aiming for a school record-tying 10th consecutive 100-yard game. Texas A&M has been strong along the lines, leading the NCAA with 5.5 sacks per game while not allowing any.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Kyle Field has not hosted a game between two Top-10 teams since 1975, when No. 2 Texas A&M defeated No. 5 Texas.

2. The Cowboys have won the past three meetings, including a 38-35 thriller in Stillwater last season that helped determine the Big 12 South champion. The Aggies committed five turnovers and squandered a 14-point lead.

3. Oklahoma State will be without co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Glenn Spencer, who is away from the team following the death of his wife.

PREDICTION: Texas A&M 45, Oklahoma State 38 -- It will come down to the fourth quarter and the Aggies, with home field advantage, get the last touchdown.