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Nebraska can clinch Big 12 North with win at Texas A&M

Nov 7, 2006 - 10:14 PM Nebraska (7-3) at No. 24 Texas A&M (8-2), 3:30 pm EST

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (Ticker) - Nebraska is on the verge of getting another crack at Texas.

The Cornhuskers can book their first spot in the Big 12 Conference championship game this decade when they visit No. 24 Texas A&M on Saturday.

Nebraska seized control of the Big 12 North Division with a 34-20 home win over Missouri last Saturday.

Zac Taylor tossed a pair of touchdowns and wide receiver Maurice Purify both threw and caught at TD for the Cornhuskers (7-3, 4-2 Big 12 North), who opened a one-game lead over both the Tigers and Kansas State with two games to play. Nebraska also beat the Wildcats earlier this season.

With a victory here, Nebraska would secure a berth in the conference title game for the first time since 1999. The Cornhuskers almost certainly would face the Longhorns, who can win the Big 12 South with a win at Kansas State on Saturday. Texas rallied for a 22-20 win in Lincoln on October 21.

The Aggies (8-2, 4-2 South) need to have Texas lose and win this one to have a shot at winning their division. Texas A&M visits Texas on November 24.

Texas A&M no longer controls its own destiny in the division because of a 17-16 home loss to Oklahoma last Saturday that snapped a four-game winning streak. The Aggies had a chance to get the ball back with 1:29 to play but had too many men on the field as Oklahoma lined up for a 4th-and-1 play at its own 29, and the Sooners ran out the clock.

Nebraska leads the series, 9-2, including a 48-12 victory three years ago in the last meeting.