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Texas-Texas A&M Preview

Nov 23, 2009 - 10:51 PM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

No. 3 Texas (11-0) at Texas A&M (6-5), 8:00 p.m. EDT

Texas star Colt McCoy finally ended his hex against Texas A&M last season. Getting his first victory at Kyle Field would have a great deal more meaning than just beating a heated rival again.

The third-ranked Longhorns look to take another step toward the BCS title game when they visit Big 12 South rival Texas A&M on Thursday night.

Texas (11-0, 7-0) clinched the division with a 51-20 win over Kansas on Saturday. The Longhorns will face North Division champion Nebraska in the conference title game at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington on Dec. 5.

With victories over Texas A&M (6-5, 3-4) and Nebraska, the Longhorns will gain a spot in the BCS championship game. The teams ranked ahead of them - No. 1 Florida and No. 2 Alabama -meet for the SEC title Dec. 5.

The Aggies have the 11th-worst pass defense in the nation, allowing 259.0 yards, and that looks like a favorable matchup for McCoy, the Heisman Trophy runner-up last season to Oklahoma's Sam Bradford. McCoy is the nation's most accurate passer with a 73.0 completion percentage.

The quarterback, though, completed 56.7 percent of his passes and had one touchdown and four interceptions in losses to Texas A&M in 2006 and '07. McCoy was much sharper in last season's 49-9 win in Austin, going 23 of 28 for 311 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

"One of our goals was to win the Big 12 South, but our focus right now is going to be on Texas A&M," McCoy said. "We only have (four) days to prepare. Totally on Texas A&M, that is where we are headed."

McCoy became the winningest quarterback in NCAA history Saturday with his 43rd victory as a starter, completing 32 of 41 passes for 396 yards with four touchdowns to earn Big 12 offensive player of the week honors.

Jordan Shipley and Malcolm Williams each had over 100 yards receiving and James Kirkendoll added 86 on eight catches - two for touchdowns.

"We have so much talent. Anybody can go out and have a 100-yard game. Sometimes Colt sees certain people," Williams said.

Shipley has a school-record 1,204 receiving yards, but just 146 yards and one touchdown in three career games against Texas A&M.

"The seniors have done a great job of keeping everybody focused and coach (Mack) Brown is doing a great job of keeping everybody focused," Shipley said. "It's a fun deal. We enjoy getting to play on Thanksgiving. I think we'll be fine."

The Longhorns should be tested by an Aggies offense that ranks seventh nationally at 459.3 yards per game. The unit is spearheaded by record-setting quarterback Jerrod Johnson.

A Houston native who grew up rooting for the Aggies, Johnson will be making his first start against the Longhorns. The 6-foot-5 junior has set single-season school records for completions (241), passing yards (2,875), touchdown passes (24) and 300-yard games (four). He has thrown five interceptions - four fewer than McCoy.

"I really haven't thought about the records much," Johnson said. "When I leave A&M, maybe I can look back at the things I've done. Right now, I'm in the present, I'm just trying to win games. It's frustrating that I haven't been able to win more so far."

Johnson helped the Aggies become bowl eligible and avoid a third straight loss in a 38-3 win over Baylor on Saturday. He went 19 of 25 for 153 yards and two touchdowns.

Christine Michael ran for 116 yards and two scores while Cyrus Gray added 107 yards rushing for Texas A&M, which went 4-8 in 2008 in its first season under coach Mike Sherman.

"It's huge for us," Sherman said. "The just reward for a lot of hard work. I wanted this game so much for them."

Texas lost three defensive starters from last season in the first three rounds of the NFL draft, but a blend of returnees and youngsters has been outstanding in 2009. The Longhorns rank third in the country in total defense, giving up an average of 238.7 yards.

"It's going to be fun," Texas linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy said. "It's a quick turnaround, though. It'll be fun going down there and playing the Aggies."