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COLLEGE STATION, Texas — When No. 7 Oklahoma State meets eighth-ranked Texas A&M today, it will be the first Top 10 matchup at Kyle Field since 1975.
Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman couldn't believe it had been that long.
"That's news to me," he said. "That seems like it's a little long of a wait obviously."
After such an extended drought, the high stakes game featuring a pair of powerful offenses, who are combining for almost 1,100 yards a game is sure to be shootout. Right?
Not so fast, says Sherman.
"Whenever you say that, you always put a whammy on the game," he said. "It'll be a defensive struggle, you watch. The defense will take over whenever you say that. I would say both defenses will rise to the occasion."
One thing the Aggies know they can count on is a sellout crowd. Texas A&M had more than 86,000 fans at each of its first two games and expects an even larger — and louder — crowd this time.
The Aggies are hoping to surpass the record crowd of 90,079 that packed the stadium for last year's 9-6 win over Nebraska.
"I think back to last year's Nebraska game. That's my absolute anticipation for what's going to happen this week," Aggies defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter said. "Just the feel of our first two games, when we're playing two non-conference opponents that in years past people thought ho-hum, and we had unbelievable crowds. This being our first league game, I fully anticipate it's going to be one of those. I get goose bumps just thinking about it."
Oklahoma State's coaching staff is working to get the team ready for the noise, but Cowboys' receiver Tracy Moore says "there's not a whole lot we can do to prepare for an environment like this."
Cowboys' defensive coordinator Bill Young agreed.
"That's a heck of a place to play, there's no doubt about it," he said. "They march the Corps in there and their crowd gets behind the team. It's a tough place and we have to get ready for some noise."
The Cowboys have won three in a row against Texas A&M and six straight overall on the road, but have never won consecutive games in College Station. Both teams were undefeated last year when they opened Big 12 play against one another.
The Cowboys got a 38-35 win last season largely because of five turnovers by A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson, including an interception in the last seconds that led to the winning field goal.
That was the start of a three-game losing streak which spurred Sherman into benching the mistake-prone Johnson, a senior, in favor of Ryan Tannehill.
Oklahoma State cornerback Devin Hedgepeth said competing against star receiver Justin Blackmon in practice each day will have him ready to deal with Texas A&M wide receiver Jeff Fuller, Tannehill's favorite target this year.
"It's great preparation," said Hedgepeth, a Derby product. "Justin has the size and speed, so basically any receiver we need to prepare for, Justin is a great preparation."
