The Longhorns and Aggies had last week off to prepare for their annual Texas Tussle. As it was in ‘06, this game could be the difference between a BCS bowl or not for Texas in ’07. It will be looking for a different result than last season when A&M pulled the 12-7 upset in Austin. Overall, the host owns a 6-2-1 ATS edge in the L9 games of the series. Mack Brown’s team has played its best football of late, going 5-0 SU & 3-2 ATS in their L5 games, and come in on a run of 20-10 ATS in November contests. The Aggies have wilted down the stretch, dogged by coaching rumors, and are on runs of 1-4 SU & 1-5 ATS.

After sputtering for a good portion of the season, the Texas running game is galloping up real estate like they are on I-35 all by themselves. In the last five Big 12 games, the Jamal Charles-led Longhorns are averaging 269.4 yards per game on the ground, which have all been wins (3-2 ATS). This has lessen the pressure on sophomore QB Colt McCoy, who has joined Chris Simms as the only Texas signal caller to throw 20 or more touchdown passes in back-to-back seasons in school history. "The attitude is better, the confidence is better and the swagger is back…. we look like we've got a clue now." head coach Mack Brown said.                                                                                                                                                        

Reports are this is Dennis Franchione’s last game coaching the Aggies. Franchione has created a lot of problems for himself with various transgressions; however his most egregious offense is that he is 18-21 against Big 12 teams in his five seasons at College Station. Texas A&M has never had a signature style in the last five years, passing a great deal early in coach Fran’s tenure and having powerful running attack of late. The old Texas A&M “wrecking crew” defense was famous for its hard hitting style. This is embedded in people’s memories, not on the field of play.

Key Trend – The home team is 6-2-1 ATS in this Texas tussle.

Texas could still post a very solid record and finish in the top 10 with a win against Texas A&M and a quality bowl victory. The Longhorns are 9-3 and 8-3-1 ATS versus the Aggies.

Prediction – Texas by 21