The beginning of the Texas A&M’s Big 12 farewell tour had to leave the Aggies with a feeling that has become all too familiar during their time in the league: disappointment.
In racing out to a 20-3 halftime lead against the Oklahoma State Cowboys Saturday, A&M played like a legitimate national championship contender. In the second half, the Aggies looked like a team dangerously allergic to winning. We’re not talking hay fever here; this is “blow-your-face-up-like-Mask” stuff.
Yeah, sure, Oklahoma State deserves credit for a furious comeback in a 30-29 win at always hostile Kyle Field. The Pokes made key adjustments on both sides of the ball at halftime. Brandon Weeden (47-60 attempts, 438 yards, 2 TDs) and Justin Blackmon (11 receptions, 121 yards, 1 TD) showed why they may be the best quarterback-receiver combo in college football in the process. Weeden set school game records for attempts, completions and passing yards. Additionally, the OSU D gave a good account of itself, buckling down in the second half and forcing three turnovers to help get the Pokes back in the game.
Even so, the real story here was more A&M’s fall than the Cowboys’ comeback. Skeptics had to feel vindicated in their concerns about A&M’s readiness to compete for the crystal ball. The A&M defense crumbled in the final two quarters, surrendering 27 points and suffering a slew of well-timed minor injuries and cramps while the Cowboys marched up and down the field. (You’d think the home team would be better acclimated to that College Station heat, wouldn’t you?)
Looking ahead, a road win over A&M puts OSU in strong position in the Big 12 conference race. The gritty comeback should also send notice to the rest of nation that Pokes really are national title contenders. It’s unfamiliar territory for OSU, but they’ve reached that point nonetheless.
Meanwhile, A&M is far from out of the conference chase. The Aggies still have the kind of multi-dimensional offense and well-coached defense that made them a consensus dark horse pick for the national championship, even though that dream has been, in effect, dashed.
However, if Saturday is any indication, A&M still lacks whatever that ineffable quality is that championship teams have. While OSU took a big step forward in the national pecking order, the Aggies will have to just keep playing the role of dangerous upstart.
