Texas A&M @ Kansas State preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 17, 2009 ) Texas A&M 14, Kansas State 62

THE STORY: Kansas State narrowly missed a chance to end No. 3 Oklahoma State’s national championship dreams last weekend, falling 52-45 in a dramatic finish. The No. 22 Wildcats had multiple opportunities to tie the game in the final seconds but were unable to punch their way into the end zone from the 5. Now Kansas State looks to bounce back in a home matchup with Texas A&M, which has dropped back-to-back games to Missouri and Oklahoma. The Aggies, once ranked as high as eighth in the country this season, just lost star tailback Christine Michael to a season-ending knee injury.

TV: ABC, ESPN3.com. LINE: Texas A&M -5.

ABOUT TEXAS A&M (5-4, 3-3 Big 12): In the Aggies’ latest second-half meltdown, Oklahoma scored 28 third-quarter points to turn a three-point halftime lead into a commanding 41-10 advantage. Michael, who was averaging more than six yards per carry this season, tore his ACL in the loss, meaning Cyrus Gray will have to carry the load in Texas A&M’s backfield. When Michael went down with a similar injury last season, Gray responded admirably and helped lead the team to six consecutive wins to close the regular season.

ABOUT KANSAS STATE (7-2, 4-2): After a 7-0 start, most expected the Wildcats to fall back during a brutal four-game stretch. Kansas State has lost two in a row, but the effort against the Cowboys last weekend was eye-opening. Quarterback Collin Klein continued his incredible season, running for 144 yards and three touchdowns. The junior has 19 rushing scores this season, tied for third nationally and tied for second in school history. Klein and the offense need some help from the defense, though, which has given up 110 points in the last two games.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Texas A&M has lost two in a row to Kansas State, but has never dropped three straight.

2. The Wildcats are bidding for their first eight-win season since 2003.

3. In the last meeting in 2009, Kansas State led 59-0 in the third quarter en route to a 62-14 victory.

PREDICTION: Texas A&M 38, Kansas State 31 - Even without Michael, the Aggies still have the edge in talent in this matchup.