IT Roundtable: Texas vs. Texas A&M memories, key players, predictions

The Inside Texas staff offers score predictions, players to note, and prime memories of the Lone Star Showdown ahead of Texas’ trip to College Station to face the Texas A&M Aggies for the first time in 13 years.

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Think back to 2011. What’s one of the lasting memories from that game aside from the obvious of Justin Tucker‘s kick?

Eric Nahlin – Case running like a chicken with his head cutoff. The McCoy’s received a lot of ire from Aggie fans to see that goofy run was cosmic.

Justin Wells – 1A is Jaxon Shipley‘s pass to Blaine Irby for six. It shot the momentum to the Longhorns’ side. Carrington Byndom’s pick-six is 1B.

Ian Boyd – It’s gotta be Case McCoy improbably scrambling down the field to put the ball within range for Tucker. What a moment. I don’t know how the Aggies recovered… maybe they didn’t.

Joe Cook – The McCoy run will always be up there but I’ll have a hard time forgetting Kenny Vaccaro making one of the best interceptions you’ll ever see while wearing Fozzy Whittaker‘s No. 2.

Charlie Williams – Case McCoy scrambling for a big first down and everyone screaming at the TV “get down, get down, don’t fumble!”

James Hayden – I was 10, watched it at home with my brother and mom, while my other brother got to go to the game with my dad.

RT Young – I was a senior at UT and the win made that whole year worth it, as ridiculous as that sounds. But, I rewatched it on Sunday night and I realized just how little I remembered from it besides Case’s scramble and the final kick. The win saved us from 13 years of “What If?” But it was fun seeing baby Quandre Diggs go crazy.

Paul Wadlington – Quandre Diggs was unbelievable. Three Pass breakups, an interception and a 81 yard punt return. I’d also forgotten that we fell behind 13-0 early and how bleak it felt.

You have to pick one: favorite memory of Texas vs. Texas A&M?

Eric Nahlin – Ricky’s run and Bryant Westbrook lighting up Leeland McElroy.

Justin Wells – Ricky Williams‘ record run. 51-15 in 1996. Yeah, I picked two.

Ian Boyd – My first Texas game to watch was the Aggie game where Ricky Williams broke the record.

Joe Cook – I went to every one of the six straight wins from 2000 to 2005, but the 2008 game where the Aggies were a total afterthought because of the three-way Big 12 South tie was an indication of who the big brother is in this rivalry.

Charlie Williams – Everyone is going to pick Ricky’s run, but I’m going to go with Chris Simms lighting up the A&M defense with freshman Roy Williams, BJ Johnson, and Sloan Thomas.

James Hayden – Mine has to be the Justin Tucker kick, most of them weren’t close games when I was a kid.

RT Young – Run Ricky Run for the Heisman and the record.

Paul Wadlington – Ricky Williams and a nearly crippled James Brown went into College Station and turned the series in 1995, 16-6. A&M had won 10 of the prior 11.

What should Texas expect in Kyle Field on Saturday

Eric Nahlin – It’s going to be a circus inside of Kyle Field. I have confidence that aspect will live up to the hype.

Justin Wells – A louder environment than they have ever seen. It will be ridiculous. And I cannot wait.

Ian Boyd – I’m pretty sure it will be loud. Unless it goes poorly for the Aggies, then I suspect it will get deathly quiet.

Joe Cook – The loudest environment many of these players will ever play in. Michigan Stadium holds more, sure, but it doesn’t trap noise in the same way Kyle Field does. That said, the Longhorns have the ability to turn it into the quietest gathering of 110,000 people ever.

Charlie Williams – With the new renovations, all that swaying back-and-forth is going to be sickening. Texas is going to have to perfect the silent snap count because they won’t be able to hear their thoughts.

James Hayden – It’s the loudest stadium I’ve ever been to, post renovation makes it a lot more intimidating.

RT Young – An enthusiastic welcome home as if it’s the return of a long lost friend.

Paul Wadlington – A lot of the Aggie media have declared this the biggest game in school history. So I’d expect a degree of intensity approximating that.

Key players on offense and defense for Texas

Eric Nahlin – It’s hard to not say Quinn but on offense, the O-line. Them vs the D-line is the matchup of the game. On defense, give me Trey Moore and/or Colin Simmons.

Justin Wells – On offense: Jerrick Gibson On defense: Michael Taaffe

Ian Boyd –Tre Wisner will have opportunities to best the Aggie linebackers either as a receiver, a runner, or a blocker in pass protection. It’s a similar story for Gunnar Helm. If Texas gets a decisive win in the battle between those two and the two Aggie inside linebackers this will be an easy win. On defense, give me Anthony Hill.

Joe Cook – Quinn Ewers for obvious reasons such as his road game record, rivalry record, and overall offensive involvement. Anthony Hill has a great opportunity to prove he should have been up for national awards.

Charlie Williams – I won’t pick Gunnar Helm this week, even though the Aggies’ middle of the field defense is vulnerable. I’m going to go with Quinn Ewers and Anthony Hill.

James Hayden – Quinn Ewers, obviously, and Anthony Hill.

RT Young – Offense: Tre Wisner/Jaydon Blue. Defense: Anthony Hill

Paul Wadlington – Offense: Isaiah Bond, Quinn Ewers, the entire Texas OL. Defense: Alfred Collins, the edges, Anthony Hill and Jahdae Barron.

Score prediction

Eric Nahlin – 24-21, Texas

Justin Wells – 23-20, Texas

Ian Boyd – 27-13, Texas

Joe Cook – 27-17, Texas

Charlie Williams – 24-20, Texas

James Hayden – 24-17, Texas A&M

RT Young – 30-19, Texas

Paul Wadlington – 24-19, Texas