One More Hurdle

by: Justin Waganer

November 8, 2000

The final road block for an 11 - 0 regular season in Norman stands in College Station.  The Aggies of Texas A&M will try to avenge the 51 - 6 throttling that occurred in Norman a year ago.  Will OU provide another dominant performance as they did against Texas, Kansas State, and Nebraska or will the Aggies have enough to turn the tables on the surging Sooners? 

The largest crowd ever at Kyle Field (capacity 80, 650 however 87, 000 are expected) in College Station, Texas hope to lead the Maroon and White past the Crimson and Cream in the Big 12's game of the week.  R. C. Slocum (109 - 34 - 2)  brings a new multiple pro set offense to the field for the Aggies who will try to break the series lead in their favor (currently tied at 9 a piece) and keep the Sooners winless at Kyle Field.

This series, that averages to a 18.8 to 16.8 score over its history, hasn't been close in the last 6 meetings with OU winning in 1993 and 1999 by scores of 44 - 14 and 51 - 6 in Norman.  Texas A&M has won 36 - 14,       33 - 16, and 29-0 in College Station in 94, 96, and 98 then dominated in Norman 51-7 in 1997.

However, this one is expected to be different.  Though Vegas has set the line at 10 points with the Sooners as the favorite, many are predicting every bit of a three to seven point game.

The question that many are asking is did the change in offense and the resurgence of the Wrecking Crew defense make a 45 point difference from the 51 - 6 rout in 1999? 

While the only way to answer that question is to play the game there is plenty of room and plenty of time to bring out the scenarios. 

#1.  Texas A&M has made a vast improvement on offense and have the arm of Mark Farris and the hands of Robert Ferguson.  Rebuttal:  Oklahoma's offense is better than last year with a Heisman candidate at the helm and a slew of star-caliber wide receivers.

#2.  Oklahoma won 51 - 6 last season and is even better this season with their #1 ranking as an example.  Oklahoma plays A&M not Kyle Field and will roll, just look how A&M played against OSU, Colorado, and Baylor.  Rebuttal:  A&M was caught off guard last year and will not be this year due to the revenge factor and the fact that OU is #1, which is something A&M has never beaten.  True the Sooners and Aggies play the game, but don't ever tell me Kyle Field is not a factor, they are 64 - 6 - 1 at home under Slocum.

#3.  The atmosphere at A&M and the deafening crowd when OU has the ball will aid the Aggies in an upset victory after all, it is the largest crowd ever at Kyle Field.  Rebuttal:  The atmosphere is something that both teams will get charged from and the crowd noise will be nothing new to OU.  Don't tell me that it will be so much louder than Manhattan, which was also their largest crowd ever.

This is a huge game for both teams, A&M with a chance at redemption and a South Title.  Oklahoma with a shot at the National Title and the respect of the few national experts that still doubt them.

It will be different than last season.  It will be deafening.  It will possibly be rowdiest crowd ever at Kyle Field.

Game on.