Sam Houston @ Texas A&M preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 17, 2012 ) Sam Houston State 28, Texas A&M 47

One week before its highly anticipated showdown with No. 1-ranked Alabama, seventh-ranked Texas A&M welcomes FCS opponent Sam Houston State to Kyle Field on Saturday. All eyes figure to be on Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel, who tossed three touchdown passes in the second half of the Aggies’ 52-31 win over Rice last Saturday. The sophomore quarterback was also benched late in the game after drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for taunting.

Manziel’s antics overshadowed the Aggies’ season-opening win, which featured a shaky performance by the defensive unit. With five defensive starters suspended, Texas A&M allowed a surprising 509 yards of total offense against Rice. Two of the suspended players are due back against Southland Conference opponent Sam Houston State, which extended its home win streak to 15 games with a 74-0 victory over Houston Baptist last Saturday.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: None.

ABOUT SAM HOUSTON STATE (1-0): The Bearkats averaged 40 points per game last season and reached the FCS championship game for the second consecutive year. Their explosive offense is led by Walter Payton Award candidate Timothy Flanders, who became the all-time leader in the Southland Conference for rushing touchdowns (53) and finished with 51 yards and a score on nine carries in one quarter against Houston Baptist. Shelby Davis and Tristan Eche each had interception returns for touchdowns to lead the Bearkats’ defense, which held Houston Baptist to a 90 total yards.

ABOUT TEXAS A&M (1-0): The Aggies took a 47-0 lead against Sam Houston State last season before remaining unbeaten (11-0) in the series with a 47-28 victory. Cornerback Deshazor Everett will miss the first half of the game after being ejected from last Saturday's game for a targeting foul, but defensive tackle Kirby Ennis and safety Floyd Raven will return after missing the season opener. The Bearkats’ secondary figures to be tested by Manziel and young wide receivers Mike Evans and Ricky Seals-Jones, who combined for three touchdown receptions last Saturday.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Texas A&M has won seven straight games, its longest winning streak since recording 10 in a row in 1998.

2. Flanders has 4,285 career rushing yards and is within 74 of becoming the second all-time leading rusher in Southland Conference history.

3. Texas A&M is 61-5 against non-conference opponents at Kyle Field since 1985.

PREDICTION: Texas A&M 49, Sam Houston State 20