The Longhorns have clinched the Big 12 South and will face off against Nebraska on December 5th. But first the Longhorns have to contend with their rival Texas A&M. The Longhorns are ranked 3rd in the BCS standings but the Aggies offense is ranked number 7 in the nation and could prove to be a challenge. After all, this is a game of rivalry and pride, ingredients that often fuel an upset, and the last thing the Longhorns need is a repeat upset of 2007. An upset is exactly what the Aggies are looking for.

Even though the Aggies are 6 – 5, they’re expected to put up a fight with quarterback Jerrod Johnson at the helm. Johnson, who has a 60 percent pass completion record, has the capability to produce big plays for the Aggies.

“It all starts at quarterback…He's [Johnson] tall. He's smart. He's fast. He's accurate as a passer,” Coach Mack Brown said. “He can beat you with his feet and if you have a quarterback that can beat you with his feet, then it changes your pass rush technique and it changes your ability to blitz because he can get free.”

Although, it would be easy to look ahead to Nebraska, the Horns will need to focus on the Aggies. It was a short week for the Longhorns so the question is, are the Horns focused? Are they ready?

"One of our goals was to win the Big 12 South, but our focus right now is going to be on Texas A&M," Colt McCoy said earlier this week. "We only have (four) days to prepare…totally on Texas A&M, that is where we are headed."

Longhorn fans will be completely outnumbered at College Station, but fans will not be deterred as they welcome their Longhorns on to the field under the roar of Aggie fans. A roar was so loud that it was hard to hear Coach Mack Brown respond to a reporter’s question on his thoughts about the game. “I told them this game has 116 years of tradition and it matters to everyone in the Texas and everybody in the country…your 11-0 so why not have some fun.”

Texas kicks off to A&M; Quarterback, Jerrod Johnson hands off RB, Christine Michael on the first play and plows into Lamarr Houston. Johnson connects with WR, Ryan Swope but safety, Earl Thomas brings him down for a loss of 2. Johnson fires down the sideline and has a man wide open. Johnson connects with Jeff Fuller. He takes it 70 yards into the end zone and the Aggies score first much to the delight of Aggie fans. A&M 7, Texas 0.

Texas possession; Quarterback Colt McCoy’s first play is a short pass to WR, Jordan Shipley. Under pressure Colt scrambles for the 1st down. With the hurry up offense Colt connects with WR, Malcolm Williams for another 1st down but pays the price as he takes a hard hit. He quickly recovers and hands off to RB, Tre Newton for a gain of 5. Again under pressure Colt takes off and gets the 1st down at the Aggie 40. Colt fires to Williams but the ball is batted away. 2nd & 10, Colt with the screen to WR, James Kirkendoll but it’s a loss of yards. The Aggie defense brings on the pressure but Colt manages to get the ball off to Shipley. The Aggie defense reads the pattern and reacts to the play. Texas brings on the punting team. Kicker, Justin Tucker goes with fake punt but the Aggies don’t take the bait. Tucker is stopped short of the 1st down and looses the ball, turnover.

Aggies possession; Johnson connects with WR, Ryan Tannenhill for a gain of 14 and a 1st down. Hand off to Cyrus Gray is good for a gain of 5 but there’s a flag on the play, illegal block 1st & 25. The Aggies can’t convert and quickly brings on the punting team.

Texas possession at the 33; Colt hands off to RB, Tre Newton for a 1st down getting the Horns second drive to a quick start. Texas mixes it up as Colt hands off to RB, Cody Johnson and then to WR, Dan Buckner. The Horns are at 3rd & 11 and Colt takes off. He gets near the 1st down maker. 4th & 1 and Texas decides to gamble early, as Colt goes for the 1st down. 1st & 10, Colt looking down the fields throws deep. The pass is overthrown. Texas goes with the short pass and Colt connects with WR, Malcolm Williams and Buckner for a 1st down at the A&M 28. Texas again mixes it up and Colt connects with Shipley and Newton for a 1st down. Colt feeling the pressure takes off to the right, 2nd & 3. Texas now in the red zone but fall prey to the roar of the crowd a cause a false start. But the Horns quickly recover. Colt looks down the field, finds Shipley, TOUCHDOWN! Texas 7, A&M 7.

Texas kicks off and for a moment it looks like Brad Stephens might take off but much to the disappointment of Aggie fans Antwan Cobb brings him down.

A&M possession; Johnson quickly gets a drive going as he hands off to Michael for a couple of plays, 3rd & 3. Texas brings on the pressure but Johnson still manages to connect with TE, Jamie McCoy for a 1st down. Just as Johnson is getting his rhythm Lamarr Houston is there to break his stride and A&M brings on their punting team.

Texas possession at the Texas 9; Colt starts the drive with a short pass to Williams; he’s short of the 1st down. Colt fakes it to Newton and gets the 1st down for his 6th carry of the game. Texas with the hurry up offense gets to the Texas 34 and the 1st quarter ends.

2nd quarter; Texas still has possession. 2nd & 3, Colt hands off to Newton, no gain. 3rd & 2, Colt fakes the hand off, he takes off down the middle 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN! Texas 14, A&M 7.
Texas kicks off, flags fly; penalties offset each other.

A&M possession at the 30; Johnson hands off to Michael for a gain of 2. But Johnson feels the heat. He gets trapped, goes down and the ball gets loose. The ball was already down. The Aggies bring on the punting team and the Texas defense almost gets another blocked punt.

Texas possession; Colt under pressure back paddles, throws and almost gets intercepted as the Aggie fans get fired up. Colt is undeterred. He fires up the middle and connects with Williams. Williams almost breaks free for another touchdown. Texas is unable to keep the drive going and Colt punts and the ball takes a roll to the A&M 8.

A&M possession; Johnson scrambles for the 1st down then collides on the next play with Michael for a loss of yardage. The Aggies recover and Johnson quickly connects with Michael and Ryan Tannenhill for a 1st down. A&M now at the Texas 34. Johnson scrambles and almost takes off but gets tripped up by Sam Acho. A&M now inside the 15, Johnson fires and connects with Jeff Fuller for anther A&M touchdown. Texas 14, A&M 14.

A&M kicks off to Texas and Marquise Goodwin summersaults to the 30. There’s a flag on play. The Longhorns end up with poor field position at 12. Colt from the pocket fires to Malcolm down the field for a 45 yard gain. Colt fires to Kirkendoll for another 1st down. But the ball gets tipped on the next play which elicits a roar from the crowd. 2nd & 10, Colt hands off to Newton, he gets by the defenders and it’s 1st & goal at the 8. Colt keeps the ball but he goes down adding another sack to the nations leading team in sacks. But Texas answers back; Colt with plenty of time, fires into the end zone and connects with Shipley, TOUCHDOWN! Texas 21, A&M 14.

A&M possession; Johnson connects with WR, Uzoma Nwachukwu. But the Aggies quickly get into trouble as Johnson goes down. A&M punts but the ball takes a bad bounce and the Aggies recover the ball.
A&M possession; The Aggies regroup and Johnson under pressure manages to connect with RB, Cyrus Gray for a 1st down. Johnson fires into the end zone and connects with WR, Howard Morrow. Texas 21, A&M 21.

A&M kicks off to Texas; Goodwin with the return gets around the corner to the 36. Time 1:03.

Texas possession at the 36; Colt with the short pass to Buckner. 2nd & 4, Colt scrambles for the 1st down. Texas timeout, 30 seconds left in the 1st half. Texas with the hurry up offense Colt connects with Shipley at the Texas 29. Again, Colt scrambles and goes out of bounds at the 21. 2nd & 3, Colt fires to Shipley up the middle. 1st & goal, under pressure Colt fires into the end zone but Shipley is out of bounds. 4 seconds, Colt with good protection finds LB, Jared Norton in the end zone, TOUCHDOWN! Texas 28, A&M 21.

HALFTIME!

Coach Mack Brown is caught at the sideline and asked to comment on the Aggies, “Their guys are playing lights out.”

3rd quarter, Texas possession at the Texas 22; Colt throws to the Left and connects with Kirkendoll. Texas goes to the running game.

Newton gets a gain of 5 and RB, Foswhitt Whittaker responds with a 1st down. Colt looking for Williams down field but overthrown the pass. 2nd & 10, the Aggies bring on the blitz but Colt still connects Whittaker. 3rd & 8, Colt fires to Williams and he fights for the 1st down. But Colt’s next two passes to Williams are incomplete. But Williams is there for the next play and he dives short of the 1st down. 4th & 1, Texas goes for it but comes up short.

Aggies possession at the Texas 42; Johnson quickly connects with Fuller for a 1st down. but on the next play Johnson’s hand off to Michael misfires, fumble, Texas possession!

Texas possession at the Texas 42; Colt hands off to Newton for a gain of 6 and a 1st down. Colt slides to the 45. Again to Newton, he breaks free for a gain of 19. Texas now at the Texas 23 is steadily powering down the field with a gain of 5, 2, and 7. 1st & goal, Colt hands off to Newton, he powers all the way in to the end zone,

TOUCHDOWN! Texas 35, A&M 21.

Texas kicks off to A&M and there’s collision on the field and two players go down. The crowd goes silent and in a show of true sportsmanship both teams show respect remain on the field in support of the teammates until they go off the field.

A&M possession. Johnson hands off to Gray for a gain of 9. Johnson collides with his Michael for no gain. 3rd & 4, Johnson fires and connects with Jamie McCoy. The Aggies again start to gain momentum as Johnson seems to be getting his rhythm back and he hands off to Gray. Lamarr Houston is there for the stop and a loss of 4. 2nd & 14, Johnson unable to find anyone open takes off and is finally stopped at the 18 as Muckleroy brings him down. Johnson fires into the end zone but Curtis Brown comes down with the ball. There’s a flag on the play, Texas offside. A&M now at Texas 14. Under pressure Johnson throws the ball away. 3rd & 5, Johnson pressure from the Texas blitz fires in to the end zone but Earl Thomas comes up with the ball making this the 20th interception for Texas.

Texas possession at the 20; Colt under pressure throws the ball away. Under pressure again Colt is sacked by to Newton for a 2 yard gain. 3rd & 8, Colt is sacked by Von Miller who leads the nation sacks. Texas punts and A&M gets good field position.

A&M possession at the 50. Johnson with the quarterback draw takes off down to the 12 as Muckleroy finally brings him down. A&M goes to the running game as Johnson goes to Michael for a gain of 2 and 3. 3rd & 5, Johnson rolls to the right but Muckleroy brings him down for his 13th tackle. A&M brings in the kicking team for a field goal. Texas 35, A&M 24.

Texas possession at the 7; Colt rolls to the left and throws to Williams but he can’t hang on. 2nd & 10, scrambling Colt escapes a sack and fires down the field to Williams but it’s overthrown. Texas is unable to convert and brings in the punting team. Tucker from the end zone kicks the ball is caught, fumbled and recovered by A&M. Time 53 seconds remaining in the 3rd quarter.

A&M possession at the 49; Johnson is sacked by Kheest Randall for a loss of 2. Johnson fires to Nwachukwu as he hangs on for a 1st down. The 3rd quarter comes to a close.

4th quarter; Johnson fires down the left side to Fuller but he’s short of the 1st down. Hand off to Michael, he rounds the right corner for the 1st down. Johnson again to Michael, he powers past Sergio Kindle into the end zone, touchdown. Texas 35, A&M 30.
A&M opts for the 2 point conversion, Johnson connects with Tannenhill. Texas 35, A&M 32.

Texas possession at the 22; Colt throws to Shipley but its incomplete. Colt unable to find anyone; he rushes 43 yards to the 35. But there’s a flag on the play. Texas is called back to the 47. 1st & 10, hand off to Newton for a gain of 2. But Colt gets sacked on the next play and it looks like the Aggie defense is fired up, 3rd & 12. But the Longhorns quickly recover and Colt fires to Kirkendoll. Kirkendoll sidesteps a defender and runs it into the end zone, TOUCHDOWN! Texas 42, A&M 32.

A&M possession at the 22; Johnson under pressure scrambles for the 1st down. Hand off to Michael, he breaks free for a 32 yard run. There’s a flag on the play and the play is called back. 1st & 15, Johnson feeling the pressure from Kindle throws the ball away. Again under pressure, Johnson takes off but is held up by Randall. 3rd & 15, but the Aggies are not ready to give as Johnson connects with Morrow and Tannenhill. 3rd & 6, Johnson connects Ryan Swope at the 9. Flag on the play, facemask and the Aggies are moved 15 yards back. The Aggies bounce back as Johnson connects with Fuller in the end zone, touchdown. Texas 42, A&M 39.

A&M kicks off to Texas and Goodwin takes off flying by A&M defenders for a 95 yard return in to the end zone, TOUCHDOWN. Texas 49, A&M 39.

Texas kicks off to A&M and the Aggies answer back as Swope takes off down to the 50. There’s a flag on the play and another 15 yards are tacked on.

A&M possession at the 65; A&M false start and the Aggies are pushed back. Johnson fires, it’s incomplete. 2nd & 15, Johnson hands off to Michael for a gain of 6. 3rd & 9, Aggies with confusion on play call a timeout. Johnson fires to Nwachukwu for a 1st down. Johnson takes off for a gain of 7. The A&M goes with the reverse but it gets no where. The Aggies can’t convert and bring in the kicking team for a field goal. The kick is no good!

Aggie fans go silent.

Time 3:05.

Texas possession at the 20; Colt fires to Williams as he dodges a defender and gets the 1st down. Colt slides for 8, 2nd & 2. Hand off to Newton for a gain of 4 and another 1st down. Timeout. Colt takes off again for a gain of 7 and now has 172 rushing yards. Time 1:22. Texas with the hurry up offense but in the rush Colt gets sacked. Time 36 seconds left in the game. Colt takes a knee and Texas runs out the clock. Texas 59, A&M 39.

The win makes this the first time in Texas history that the Longhorns finish 12 -0 in the regular season. It was a hard fought win for the Horns. “It was tough, we expected that coming in…I thank God and I’m thankful for my teammates and friends.” Colt McCoy said right after the game.

When asked about his opponent Jarred Johnson, Colt responded, “Johnson played a tremendous game. We were fortunate to come out on top. I'm so thankful to get a win," McCoy said. "You have to give A&M credit…A&M hung in and fought, and that's what you're going to get in a rivalry game."

Well there you have it. Texas has another win for a perfect record, 12 – 0. Now the only thing standing between them and a BCS title game is Nebraska. The Longhorns should be well rested by that time and ready to rumble. This Longhorn fan is looking forward to the match up. So see join me December 5th for the game and HOOK’EM HORNS!