Oklahoma is having problems stopping the run, but because the Sooners have scored at least 35 points in every Big 12 game, it hasn't been a concern.

And Texas A&M might be hard pressed to make it an issue Saturday at Kyle Field. The Aggies have rushed for only 242 yards in the last three games, even while throwing for 881 yards.

A&M is averaging 362.2 yards per game, 251.6 of it through the air. A&M's 110.7 yards rushing a game ranks 102nd nationally. OU is much more balanced, averaging 358.9 passing and 179.4 on the ground.

"I've always believed in balance, and we don't have the balance I'd like to have this year," A&M first-year head coach Mike Sherman said. "I wish we could have better balance than we do. We fight it a little bit when we're trying to game plan and scheme and trying to play to our strengths and someone else's weaknesses. But I'd like to have balance in our offense.

"When you're throwing the football, you just never know when your quarterback is going to wake up and the biorhythms aren't clicking, or a receiver for whatever reason isn't having a good day."

A&M's 24-17 victory over Colorado supported Sherman's point.

Sophomore quarterback Jerrod Johnson got off to a slow start -- 6-of-14 passing for 62 yards -- but rallied to throw a trio of touchdown passes in the third quarter.

Sherman says he would rather not rely so much on the right arm of Johnson, who is 160-of-254 passing in the last eight games.

"The running game is something that, if you have good running backs, can be a consistent part of your arsenal," Sherman said. "The passing game with the weather, the wind, whatever ... it can affect the passing game a bit, so I hate to put all my eggs in one basket. I think you have to throw the football to win championships, but to be able to get to the championship game, you have to be able to run it."

Sherman, a former offensive line coach, knew he'd have to revamp the running game. A&M had only eight scholarship offensive linemen for spring drills. The Aggies have been further hampered by injuries on the line and to junior tailback Mike Goodson, who has missed the last two games with a knee injury.

Freshman tailback Cyrus Gray gave the Aggies a spark last week with a 54-yard run that led to a touchdown and a 24-10 lead. But other than that, the Aggie running backs struggled, rushing for 2 yards or less 11 times.

"We did have a couple of chances to make some positive gains besides the long run by Cyrus Gray, but not enough to meet the satisfaction that we needed," Sherman said. "I think what we did come away from the game with was it's so important to keep hammering away at it because it does help you control pass rushes. And that long run that Cyrus made really was a game-changer in my mind. It changed field position for us, really put us in an optimal position. So even though we didn't run the ball effectively, I think the fact we didn't give up on it is a great lesson. I constantly remind myself that you just never know when you're going to be able to find a crack and be able to break a long run, and that one was a significant one."

"We did have a couple of chances to make some positive gains besides the long run by Cyrus Gray, but not enough to meet the satisfaction that we needed," Sherman said. "I think what we did come away from the game with was it's so important to keep hammering away at it because it does help you control pass rushes. And that long run that Cyrus made really was a game-changer in my mind. It changed field position for us, really put us in an optimal position. So even though we didn't run the ball effectively, I think the fact we didn't give up on it is a great lesson. I constantly remind myself that you just never know when you're going to be able to find a crack and be able to break a long run, and that one was a significant one."

The Aggies should have running opportunities against OU, which has given up a significant amount of yardage after shutting down the run in nonconference play. The Sooners held Chattanooga, Cincinnati, Washington and TCU to 73 yards rushing per game, which ranked 12th nationally.

But in Big 12 play, OU has allowed at least 134 yards rushing per game, and league opponents are averaging 5.4 yards per carry (if you take away OU's 15 sacks). Baylor was the first to have success this season rushing the ball behind dual-threat quarterback Robert Griffin, who had 102 yards on 21 carries. Texas then handed OU its lone loss by rushing for 161 yards on 35 carries.

That game was costly for OU's run defense, which lost linebacker Ryan Reynolds to a season-ending knee injury. Reynolds was the league's fourth-leading tackler -- and is still OU's fourth-leading tackler.

This week, OU also will be without defensive tackle Auston English who has a sprained knee. English has 28 tackles, including nine for losses.

Last week, OU gave up 204 yards rushing to Nebraska, but it didn't figure in the outcome as the Sooners had a 35-0 lead after the first quarter en route to a 62-28 vicory.

The Aggies, a 25 1/2 -point underdog, have been able to run the football against the Sooners in the last four meetings at Kyle Field, which have been decided by a total of 16 points. Goodson had 127 yards rushing on 10 carries two years ago in OU's 17-16 victory.

A&M has averaged 37 rushes in its last four meetings with OU at Kyle Field. The Aggies have rushed for more than 37 times only once this season, carrying 39 times for 92 yards in a 28-22 victory at New Mexico.

*

NOTES -- Goodson practiced Tuesday. He was limited but wearing shoulder pads, said A&M assistant athletics director Alan Cannon. ... Sherman, who talked during Monday's press conference about the importance of the individual contributing to the team effort, exercised his right to vote. He was an absentee voter since he's still registered in Houston. ... OU is in danger of having its string of Top 20 finishes in run defense end at seven. OU (116.6 ypg) is ranked 35th. The Sooners were 17th last year (110.3 ypg) and have had a pair of Top 10 finishes including fourth in 2005 (90.6 ypg). ... A&M has been held under 100 yards rushing four times this season, winning two of those games. The program had been 2-28 the previous 30 times it was held under 100 yards rushing.

TEXAS A&M FOOTBALL

* Matchup: No. 6 Oklahoma at Texas A&M

* When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday

* Where: Kyle Field

* Records: A&M (4-5, 1-3 Big 12); OU (8-1, 4-1)

* TV: ABC

* Radio: WTAW, 1620 A&M

* Tickets: $80

* Line: OU by 25 1/2