Baylor @ Texas A&M preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 13, 2010 ) Texas A&M 42, Baylor 30

THE STORY: No. 23 Texas A&M looks to slow down No. 24 Baylor’s high-octane offense in the 108th meeting in the “Battle of the Brazos” at Kyle Field. The Aggies earned their first conference win last week after defeating Texas Tech 45-40, despite being outgained 523-339. Prior to the victory, Texas A&M had lost its two previous games. Baylor is coming off an impressive 49-26 win over Iowa State. Robert Griffin III had a career-high 107 rushing yards for the Bears, who also picked up their first Big 12 victory. Texas A&M holds a 67-31-9 advantage over Baylor in the all-time series and won most recently, 42-30 in 2010. The Aggies are 31-10-3 against the Bears in College Station.

TV: FX. LINE: Texas A&M -9.

ABOUT NO. 24 BAYLOR (4-1, 1-1 Big 12): Led by Heisman trophy candidate Griffin, who has completed more than 80 percent of his passes, Baylor has the nation’s third-ranked offense and has scored 35 or more points in every game. Griffin has thrown for 1,520 yards and 19 touchdowns and his favorite target, Kendall Wright, is averaging more than nine catches and 138 yards. Terrance Ganaway rushed for a career-high 200 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s win over the Cyclones. Defensively, Baylor has struggled, allowing more than 28 points per game while producing just six takeaways.

ABOUT NO. 23 TEXAS A&M (3-2, 1-1 Big 12): Texas A&M, which has outscored opponents 146-54 in the first half, is led by running backs Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael, who are averaging 95 and 92 yards, respectively. Gray and Michael have combined for 13 touchdowns for the Aggies, who rank 12th in total offense (493.4) and 18th in scoring (39). Texas A&M’s No. 1 priority will be to rush the passer, which they’ve done better than any other team in the country. The Aggies lead the nation in sacks, averaging more than four per game. However, their secondary has struggled, allowing an average of more than 347 passing yards.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The last time Baylor and Texas A&M met as ranked opponents, the Aggies won 34-12 in 1991. Texas A&M holds a 3-2-1 advantage when both teams are ranked.

2. Baylor is the only team in the nation that averages more than 300 yards passing and more than 200 yards rushing.

3. Texas A&M has won its last six games against teams from the state of Texas. The Aggies’ last loss came in a 49-39 defeat to Texas in 2009.

PREDICTION: Texas A&M 38, Baylor 24 – After playing three straight games that were decided by a combined 10 points, the Aggies should earn their first double -digit victory since defeating Idaho on Sept. 17.