Kansas @ Texas A&M preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 23, 2010 ) Texas A&M 45, Kansas 10

THE STORY: In a season filled with such promise, Texas A&M will have to be satisfied with simply becoming bowl-eligible. The opponent this week should help it get there. The Aggies have trailed at half in just one of their 10 games this season, but failed to outplay their opponent in the second half in nearly half of them. Texas A&M has blown double-digit leads three times, including home losses to No. 2 Oklahoma State and No. 6 Arkansas.

The same second-half woes played out in last week’s heartbreaking 53-50 quadruple-overtime setback against No. 17 Kansas State – a game in which the Aggies did not trail at any point during regulation. It was the Aggies’ fourth loss this season in which they led or were tied at the break and third loss by four points or less. Texas A&M must win one of its final two games to qualify for a bowl and figures to do so against Kansas, which is in the midst of an eight-game slide. The main culprit has been an FBS-worst defense that allows 44 points and 537.7 yards per game.

The Aggies lead the all-time series with the Jayhawks, 8-2.

TV: FSN. LINE: Texas A&M -31

ABOUT KANSAS (2-8, 0-7 BIG 12): Even with two losses by a combined four points over their last two games, the Jayhawks’ average margin of defeat during their losing streak is 26 points. The Jayhawks have more rush attempts than pass attempts in every game this season and have surpassed 50 rushes in a game on four occasions.

ABOUT TEXAS A&M (5-5, 3-4 BIG 12): RB Cyrus Gray needs 49 rushing yards to become the third Aggie in school history to post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, joining Greg Hill (1991-92) and George Woodard (1976-77). WR Jeff Fuller is six points away from becoming Texas A&M’s first non-running back or kicker to score 200 career points.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Texas A&M has recorded over 500 yards of total offense in 18 of its last 36 games after having done so just 18 times in its previous 116 contests.

2. Cumulatively, Kansas has been outscored in every quarter this season by at least 32 points. The worst is the third quarter, in which it has been outscored, 114-38.

3. Aggies quarterback Ryan Tannehill, a converted receiver, is the only player in FBS history with a 400-yard passing game and a 200-yard receiving game.

PREDICTION: Texas A&M 45, Kansas 17 -- While the Jayhawks’ recent play suggests they may be ready to pull an upset, their defense has been abysmal on the road. Expect another big day from Tannehill and Gray.