GAME NOTES: The fourth-ranked Texas Longhorns close out what has been a wild regular season with a Big 12 Conference game against the Texas A&M Aggies.

This season has been disappointing for Texas A&M, as it owns a 4-7 record and has been a non-factor in the league. The Aggies have lost their last two outings, including a 41-21 setback to Baylor on the road last weekend. Still, they are 2-2 in true road games this season, much better than the 2-5 mark that they have posted in College Station.

As for Texas, it is tied with Oklahoma and Texas Tech atop the Big 12 South Division standings. All three teams are in action this week, and if all three win as expected, the BCS standings will decide which of the three will face Missouri in the Big 12 championship game. It appears to be a two-team race between Texas and Oklahoma, and while Texas is currently ahead of the Sooners, it is widely speculated that a victory over Oklahoma State this weekend would vault the Sooners into the title tilt. That would undoubtedly anger the Longhorns, who beat the Sooners by double figures on a neutral field earlier in the season. The lone loss for Mack Brown's team came against Texas Tech in Lubbock on a long touchdown pass in the closing seconds. The most recent outing for Texas took place On November 15th against Kansas and resulted in a 35-7 win.

The Longhorns own a commanding 73-36-5 series lead over the Aggies, although Texas A&M has topped Texas the last two seasons.

Texas A&M is averaging 26.5 ppg and 349.6 total ypg this season, and while those numbers aren't bad, the team has struggled mightily to run the football. In fact, the Aggies are generating 98.7 ypg on 3.2 yards per carry. Jerrod Johnson has done all he can to keep the team competitive, as the sophomore quarterback has completed 60.3 percent of his passes for 2,373 yards and 20 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. He has also run for three scores, as he is athletic enough to make a play with his feet when needed. With 26 total turnovers and 33 sacks allowed, A&M hasn't done much to help its cause.

Against Baylor last time out, the Aggies were losing 41-7 after three quarters of play and scored two meaningless touchdowns in the final frame to make the final score a bit more respectable. They rushed for only 64 yards in the clash, and Johnson threw four interceptions.

Opponents are scoring 36 ppg against Texas A&M, which is being victimized for 455.2 total ypg. The Aggies are yielding 219.5 rushing ypg and have allowed 29 touchdowns on the ground. They have struggled against the pass as well, as opposing quarterbacks are racking up 235.6 ypg on 12.1 yards per completion with 16 touchdowns against eight interceptions. Keep an eye on Michael Bennett, as he has made 11 tackles in the backfield.

As mentioned above, Baylor scored 41 points in three quarters against Texas A&M two weeks ago, as the Bears were able to march up and down the field against the Aggies with very little resistance. A&M surrendered 510 total yards in the clash, including 269 yards on the ground. The Aggies failed to record a single takeaway or sack and permitted Baylor to convert 9-of-16 third down attempts.

Texas is truly explosive on offense, as the team is generating 43.5 ppg and 471.0 total ypg. The Longhorns have scored 59 offensive touchdowns and can get the job done via the ground and the air, although it is the passing attack that scares opponents the most. Quarterback Colt McCoy remains a legitimate Heisman candidate, as he has connected on a staggering 77.2 percent of his passes for 3,134 yards with 30 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. Furthermore, he leads the team in rushing with 527 yards and eight touchdowns. Cody Johnson has only carried the ball 65 times and is averaging a mere 3.6 yards per carry, but he has 10 rushing scores to his credit. As for the receivers, Jordan Shipley is tops with 75 catches for 897 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Quan Cosby has posted 72 grabs for 872 yards and seven scores.

Against Kansas last time out, McCoy completed 24-of-34 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He also rushed for 78 yards and one score.

The Longhorns have been solid defensively, as they are yielding 19.5 ppg and 348.5 total ypg. Sure, the defense did struggle against the likes of Texas Tech and Oklahoma, but those are two of the finest offenses in all of college football. Stopping the run has been an obvious area of strength for the 'Horns, who are limiting foes to 82.5 ypg on 3.1 ypc. The pass defense has generated just six interceptions while yielding 17 touchdowns, and opponents have found much more success attacking Texas through the air than on the ground. Roddrick Muckelroy leads the defense in tackles with 99, 42 more than his closest teammate. As for Brian Orakpo, he has 15 TFLs to his credit, including nine sacks.

Orakpo and company dominated Kansas last time out, limiting the Jayhawks to 305 total yards and seven points. The Longhorns permitted just 25 of the 50 passes they faced to be completed and held Kansas to 2.0 yards per rushing attempt.

Obviously, Texas is far superior to Texas A&M and will cruise to victory over the Aggies. The 'Horns deserve a trip to the Big 12 title game, but it remains to be seen if that happens.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Texas 38, Texas A&M 13