Texas @ Texas A&M preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 25, 2010 ) Texas A&M 24, Texas 17

THE STORY: It could be a long time before anyone sees the Texas-Texas A&M rivalry again. With the Aggies set to move to the SEC next season and Texas announcing that they would not be working Texas A&M into its non-conference slate anytime soon, each school will have one last chance on Thursday night in College Station to show the other who has the better program. The Aggies were not happy about Texas’ Longhorn television network or the instability in the Big 12 and will complete their move in July of 2012, marking the first time in 82 years that Texas A&M and Texas will not be in the same conference. Instead of battling it out for the Big 12 title, the Aggies and Longhorns will instead be fighting over fifth place. Texas A&M snapped a three-game slide last weekend with a 61-7 drubbing of Kansas while Texas comes in having dropped back-to-back games.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Texas A&M -8

ABOUT TEXAS (6-4, 3-4 Big 12): Offense has been the big problem for the Longhorns against any strong team they have faced. Texas managed a total of 18 points in losses to Missouri and Kansas State in the last two weeks. The quarterback situation has been fluid and it looks as though Case McCoy will get the start against Texas A&M after David Ash threw a pair of interceptions last week.

ABOUT TEXAS A&M (6-5, 4-4): The Aggies are coming to the end of a disappointing season after being ranked No. 9 and being talked about as a potential Big 12 title contender in the preseason. Texas A&M could be without running back Cyrus Gray, who suffered a stress fracture in his shoulder during Saturday’s win. The Aggies are already missing running back Christine Michael, who was lost for the season to a knee injury on Nov. 5. Four of Texas A&M’s five losses have come against teams ranked in the top 20.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. If Gray cannot play, the Aggies will turn to sophomore Ben Malena and freshman Will Randolph at tailback.

2. Texas A&M won last year, 24-17, in Austin as Gray rushed for 223 yards and two touchdowns.

3. Texas leads the all-time series, 75-37-5.

PREDICTION: Texas A&M 38, Texas 20. The Aggies will leave the Big 12 in style as Ryan Tannehill finds the few holes in the Longhorns secondary.