AM looks to rebound from road loss again

Losing to Colorado by a point after having two different double digit leads isn't the same as being pummeled by Kansas State, but Texas A&M could certainly use the same type of turnaround this week as it did after the loss to the Wildcats. After that loss A&M went on the road and beat Texas Tech for the first time in Lubbock since 1993.

This Saturday at 6 p.m. the Aggies (5-4, 2-3 Big 12) will face another uphill battle against Oklahoma (5-4, 3-2) in Norman, a place A&M hasn't won since 1997.

"We understand that is a different situation but at the same time we can understand that we're capable of doing it," said junior quarterback Jerrod Johnson. "We can kind of put them together and see that they're kind of similar, but it's a whole different beast with a different coaching staff and a different style than Texas Tech. I think the good thing with Texas Tech is we know we're capable of doing it. Some of the young guys can have that to feed off of, but we're also going to stress that it's different and a completely different world playing a different beast up there in Oklahoma."

After being beaten down from the opening kickoff in Manhattan, the Aggies bounced back the next weekend with 321 yards on the ground and a dominating, methodical beat down of the then-No. 21 Red Raiders.

But this loss doesn't feel like the same thing as the loss to Kansas State did to the Aggies. This was one that slipped through their fingers, and now A&M is hungry to get the bad taste out of its mouth.

"It's not really the same," Johnson said. "In the end they are both losses and you take both of them pretty hard. I think we did play pretty well, but unfortunately the mistakes that we had happened at crucial points in the game and crucial times. Both of them are disappointing. You never want to lose, so both of them hurt pretty bad."

After beating Iowa State, 35-10, a week ago at Kyle Field the Aggies claimed that the loss to Kansas State was a turning point in the season. After such a bad loss, the Aggies came together and to a man admitted that they learned a lot from the 62-14 score.

But this loss is a little tougher to swallow for some of the Aggies, especially sophomore safety Trent Hunter.

"I'm not sure if (beating Tech after losing to Kansas State) helps," Hunter said. "I guess some guys say that some losses can teach lessons about playing harder here or coming out on fire, but this loss was just kind of lot they came out in the fourth quarter and made more plays than we did. I don't think there is a whole lot to learn from this loss. They just came our and beat us in the second half of this game."

But even though the losses might not be that similar, the situations are extremely close. The Aggies lost to K-State on the first of a two-game road trip. The same happened at Colorado. Most believed A&M would win at K-State and lose at Texas Tech. Those same pundits said the same about Colorado and Oklahoma. A&M hadn't won in Lubbock since 1991. A&M's last win in Norman was in 1997. The Aggies were just 2-8 against Tech in its last 10 games against the Red Raiders.

Against Oklahoma, A&M is just 1-9.

"I think (Oklahoma) one of the toughest in the Big 12, especially at their place and they're at home and they're tough there. They protect their house," said A&M senior safety Jordan Pugh. "It's going to be a challenge for us and I think it's something we can do. It's the same thing as going up to Lubbock. We hadn't won there in a long time and we went up there and accomplished that. If we handle our business and prepare we'll be fine."