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Who has the edge?

By ROBERT CESSNA

A&M's run game vs. Texas Tech's run defense: Oklahoma State rushed for 366 yards on 61 carries against the Red Raiders, and the Aggies have more balance in their running attack and a better offensive line. A&M will grind it out with tailbacks Jorvorskie Lane (89 carries-397 yards) and Mike Goodson (75-363) complementing quarterback Stephen McGee (71-455). The 277-pound Lane will be vital to sustaining drives. "I would say that he's easily the best short-yardage back in the conference and maybe the country," Tech head coach Mike Leach said. Defensive end Brandon Williams is the best lineman for Tech, which has 42 tackles for losses. Edge: Texas A&M

A&M's pass attack vs. Texas Tech's pass defense: The Aggies threw for 141 yards in the second half against Oklahoma State, having success throwing downfield. Wide receiver Kerry Franks (17 catches-325 yards) and tight end Martellus Bennett (20-241) have to make catches to spread Tech's defense, keeping the running lanes open. Tech's pass defense is ranked 20th in the nation and has held opponents to the lowest completion rate in the Big 12. Safeties Joe Garcia and Darcel McBath have combined for seven deflections, two interceptions and 57 tackles. Edge: Even

Texas Tech's run game vs. A&M's run defense: Tech averages only 77.2 yards rushing per game, which ranks 113th in the country. But the Red Raiders run enough to be effective. Running back Shannon Woods has lost only 2 yards in 53 carries. Most of Tech's passes are nothing more than short, effective runs. A&M linebackers Mark Dodge (57 tackles) and Misi Tupe (48 tackles) along with safety Alton Dixon (45 tackles) will need to do a good job tackling in space. Edge: Texas Tech

Texas Tech's pass attack vs. A&M's pass defense: This might be the best aerial attack in head coach Mike Leach's era, which says plenty. Quarterback Graham Harrell is completing 73.5 percent of his passes. He's thrown 28 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Tech's receivers were a question mark heading into the season, but redshirt freshman Michael Crabtree (70-1,074, 17 TDs) is an All-American, and Danny Amendola (54-685) catches everything thrown his way. Look for Leach to involve true freshman Detron Lewis, the former A&M Consolidated Tiger. A&M's defense held Oklahoma State's Adarius Bowman to two catches for 6 yards in the fourth quarter after he torched A&M for 136 yards on five catches with two scores. Edge: Texas Tech

Special teams: Tech has punted only 11 times and attempted six field goals. The Red Raiders have a pair of gamebreakers returning punts in Amendola (15.8-yard average) and Eric Morris (10.6). A&M is the best in the Big 12 in net punting and solid in kickoff coverage, but that's not that critical against Tech, which has an offense not limited by field position. Edge: Even

Intangibles: A&M Chancellor Mike McKinney and Interim President Eddie Joe Davis should declare Monday a holiday if the Aggies win. The reality is Tech fans will treat Saturday as a holiday, creating a distinct home-field advantage that's led to six straight victories over the Aggies. Can you imagine the students' signs in the stands? They will include topics from Lane's guarantee of victory to Franchione's secret newsletter. Edge: Texas Tech