Tech vs. A&M, predictions Options

[schwab]

Texas Tech  (2-1) at  Texas A&M (4-0)  3:30 PM EST ABC Saturday September 30th
Why to Watch: Here we go with part one of the Big 12 South pecking order being determined. If you believe that Texas and Oklahoma are in one tier and Oklahoma State and Baylor are on the bottom tier, then this game will probably figure out the number three team in the mix when all is said and done. Don't tell that to these two teams, who truly believe they have a shot to win the Big 12 title if everything breaks the right way. For Texas A&M, this is the first real chance to play a decent team and is one of the only hurdles, Missouri being the other, to get over for a 9-0 start before dealing with Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas. Citadel, UL Lafayette, Army and Louisiana Tech aren't going to scare anyone, but those four games were what the team needed for a bit of a confidence boost after last year's disaster. Texas Tech is still a work in progress after struggling to beat UTEP and getting shut down cold by TCU before taking target practice against poor SE Louisiana. This is the start of a rough stretch playing three road games in four weeks with the one home date coming against Missouri. After this, it's Texas in Lubbock.
Why Texas Tech Might Win: Oh sure, Texas A&M's pass defense is ranked sixth in the nation allowing just 127.5 yards per game, but can it really be that much better than last year when it was the worst in the country? The Aggies haven't faced anyone who knows how to throw the forward pass, so this game might be a major jolt after the way the last four weeks started. While the A&M defensive front has been solid, it's not full of natural pass rushers. Don't expect a steady stream of hits on Red Raider QB Graham Harrell.
Why Texas A&M Might Win: The Tech run defense is still a bit of a mystery. It was fine against the mediocre ground games it faced so far, but it gave up 180 yards against TCU. The Aggie ground game has more weapons than it knows what to do with thanks to a loaded backfield full of talent and a quarterback in Stephen McGee who's just as capable of tearing off a 100-yard rushing day as he is throwing for 200 yards. If the Aggie front five can control the clock and keep the chains moving, the Red Raider offense can't do nearly as much damage. This isn't the explosive attack of old; it needs the ball as much as possible.
Who to Watch: McGee has been great so far leading the Aggies, and now he needs a big win to take his status to another level. Known mostly for an 108-yard rushing day in the loss to Texas last year, he has taken the starting job by the horns this season completing nearly 70% of his throws with six touchdown passes and no interceptions. He's not going to outpass Harrell, but he needs to be more efficient and has to make fewer mistakes. Harrell has been better than he's being given credit for. A lousy performance against TCU has overshadowed great games against SMU and UTEP, and a 20 of 29, 245-yard, four touchdown first half against SE Louisiana should make him as ready as he'll ever be.
What Will Happen: It should be interesting. A&M will have too much balance for the Red Raider defense, while the Aggie D will force just enough mistakes to come away with the big win.
CFN Prediction: Texas A&M 31 ... Texas Tech 23 ... Line: Pick
Must See Rating: (5 skip the birth of your first born - 1 Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip) ... 4 

I like being predicted to lose, gives me more hope that we will win.

my guess....Tech 35 Ags 24

[Aaron]

Stephen McGee was one of the most overrated recruits in the 2004 class; how he was a borderline five-star blows my mind.

As a senior, against 3A competition, McGee completed 196 of 313 passes (62%) for 3,579 yards and 47 touchdowns. Sounds fairly decent right? Not so fast my friend.

His teammate, all-world receiver Jordan Shipley (now plays for Texas) caught 95 passes that year for 1,920 yards and 30 touchdowns. Nearly half of McGee's passes, over half of his yardage, and nearly 60% of his touchdowns were just lobs to Shipley.

McGee was considered the fourth-best pro-style quarterback in the class of 2004, behind Chad Henne, Anthony Morelli and Rhett Bomar. Guys that were behind him? Brian Brohm (5), Drew Weatherford (6), Graham Harrell (7), Erik Ainge (11) and Rudy Carpenter (20).