Letcher: Longhorns, Aggies square off on Thanksgiving
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By Tim Letcher
NCAAFootball.com
Ahh, Thanksgiving. Turkey, mashed potatoes and, of course, college football. And this season’s Thanksgiving week menu offers something for just about everyone.
Action gets started on Thursday night with the third-ranked Texas Longhorns visiting intrastate rival Texas A&M in College Station. This will be the second straight year that these teams have met on Thanksgiving, and the 62nd time that’s happened overall. The Longhorns won last season’s game, 49-9 in Austin, but the Aggies won the two previous meetings.
Colt McCoy will be playing in his final Texas-Texas A&M game, and he’ll be looking to add to his NCAA record for wins by a starting quarterback. McCoy hasn’t put up huge numbers this season, but he has led his team to an undefeated record, and within two steps of playing in the BCS National Championship Game. If the Longhorns can get past the Aggies, then take care of business against Nebraska in next week’s Big 12 Title Game, Texas should be playing for a national title on January 7 in Pasadena.
But first things first, and that’s Thursday’s opponent, Texas A&M. After winning only four games last year, Mike Sherman’s Aggies are 6-5 heading into Thursday’s contest, which means A&M is likely headed to a bowl game, after missing out on the postseason last year. Quarterback Jerrod Johnson anchors the offense, throwing for 2,875 yards and 24 touchdowns on the season.
This game can be seen Thursday night at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, on ESPN.
Other games to watch
No. 2 Alabama at Auburn (Friday, 2:30 ET, CBS) – Only one team stands between Alabama and the game they’ve been waiting for all year (the SEC Championship against Florida). Arch rival Auburn happens to be that team, and the Tigers would love nothing more than to knock Alabama out of the national championship picture. Auburn has been up-and-down this season, but the Tigers had an open date to prepare before this game. Hopefully for Auburn, Gene Chizik has designed something to slow down Mark Ingram.
No. 8 Pittsburgh at West Virginia (Friday, 7:30 ET, ESPN2) – Dave Wannstedt’s Pittsburgh Panthers have been a pleasant surprise in the Big East this season. Pitt actually sits one-half game behind Big East leader Cincinnati heading into Friday’s game, but a win in Morgantown will set up a winner-take-all showdown against the Bearcats next weekend. West Virginia sits in third place in the conference, and will be looking to upset a top ten team and to improve their bowl standing.
No. 22 Utah at No. 18 BYU (Saturday, 5:00 ET, The Mtn.) – This weekend’s only game featuring two ranked teams comes from the Mountain West, as Utah visits BYU on Saturday. The winner of this one will get second place in the conference, behind TCU, which has already clinched the title. BYU quarterback Max Hall has had an outstanding season, with 2,922 yards passing. Hall and the other Cougar seniors will be playing their final home game on Saturday.
No. 11 Oklahoma State at Oklahoma (Saturday, 12:30 ET, FSN) – Oklahoma State was able to survive last week’s game against Colorado without quarterback Zac Robinson. This week’s task will be tougher, as the Cowboys visit intrastate rival Oklahoma. With a win, the Cowboys remain in the discussion for a BCS at-large berth. If they lose in Norman, the BCS will no longer be an option. The Sooners are hoping to pull the upset to salvage a season that they’d just as soon forget.
Florida State at No. 1 Florida (Saturday, 3:30 ET, CBS) – Bobby Bowden’s team beat Maryland on Saturday, and thus became eligible for a bowl for the 28th straight season. Quite an amazing feat. But Bowden’s Seminoles will have their hands full on Saturday in the Swamp. Not only is Florida ranked number one in the country, and on a 21-game winning streak, but this will be the final home game for Tim Tebow and his senior Gator teammates. It’s hard to imagine Florida looking ahead to next week’s matchup with Alabama, but that has happened before (see: Ole Miss, 2008).
Five for the Heisman
1. Mark Ingram, Alabama – Ingram continues to lead this list, after Saturday’s effort against Chattanooga. Ingram had only 11 carries, but he rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns in the 45-0 win in Tuscaloosa. On the season, Ingram has 205 carries for 1,399 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has also caught 25 passes for 225 yards. The Tide visit Auburn on Friday.
2. C.J. Spiller, Clemson – Spiller didn’t have his biggest game of the year on Saturday, but the Tigers didn’t need him to. In a 34-21 win over Virginia, Spiller had 19 carries for 58 yards and a touchdown; five receptions for 39 yards; and a punt return for 17 yards. For the season, the Clemson standout has 172 rushes for 894 yards and seven touchdowns; 29 catches for 421 yards and four TDs; 16 kickoff returns for 543 yards and three scores; seven punt returns for 208 yards; and is one-of-two passing for 17 yards and a touchdown. Clemson is at South Carolina on Saturday.
3. Toby Gerhart, Stanford – Gerhart had another huge game on Saturday, but this one came in a tough, 34-28 loss to arch rival Stanford. Gerhart did his part, with 20 rushes for 136 yards and four touchdowns, while adding a reception for 29 yards. On the year, Gerhart has carried 282 times for 1,531 yards and 23 touchdowns, while catching nine passes for 116 yards. Stanford hosts Notre Dame on Saturday.
4. Colt McCoy, Texas – McCoy had another big game on Saturday, as the Longhorns crushed Kansas, 51-20. McCoy was 32-of-41 through the air for 396 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing 12 times for 29 yards. Through 11 games, McCoy is 286-of-392 passing for 3,024 yards, with 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions, while rushing 93 times for 193 yards and a touchdown. Texas visits Texas A&M on Thursday.
5. Tim Tebow, Florida – Tebow led his team to another win on Saturday, doing what Tim Tebow does. He was 17-of-25 passing for 215 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing seven times for 102 yards and a touchdown. For the season, Tebow is 145-of-223 through the air for 1,945 yards and 14 touchdowns, with four interceptions. He also leads the Gators in rushing with 706 yards and 11 touchdowns. Florida hosts Florida State on Saturday.
FCS Headlines
In first round playoff action, No. 5 Appalachian State hosts seventh-ranked South Carolina State.
Defending national champion Richmond begins their title defense by hosting Elon.
Division II Headlines
The Division II playoffs hit the quarterfinals this weekend, with top-seeded Central Washington hosting Northwest Missouri State.
Another Key showdown has Grand Valley State visiting Minnesota Duluth.
Division III Headlines
No. 9 Mary Hardin-Baylor visits No. 6 Linfield in Saturday’s playoff action.
Top-seeded Mount Union looks to continue its unbeaten streak, against No. 25 Montclair State.
