A&M's run game vs. ISU's run defense: A&M will start the same five linemen after rushing for a season-high 321 yards last week, with running backs Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael each topping 100 yards. They should meet more resistance this week. ISU linebacker Jesse Smith leads the Big 12 in tackles. He had 12 tackles, forced a fumble and had an interception last week at Nebraska. ISU strong safety David Sims was good enough to sign with Oklahoma out of high school but had to go the JC route. He's starring in the Big 12 now and teams with free safety James Smith (222 career tackles) for a solid 1-2 punch. Edge: Texas A&M

A&M's pass attack vs. ISU's pass defense: A&M true freshman Uzoma Nwachukwu became Jerrod Johnson's favorite target with Jeff Fuller out. Nwachukwu had 17 catches for 356 yards and three scores in the last three games, but two of those were losses. Fuller's return should give A&M home-run threats on either side. Throw in Ryan Tannehill, Brandal Jackson, Jamie McCoy and Howard Morrow along with the running backs in the flats and this is the most weapons second-year head coach Mike Sherman has had to run his pro-style offense. Johnson needs to be extra careful against a defense with 13 interceptions, several of them via tips. Edge: A&M

ISU's run game vs. A&M's run defense: The Cyclones average 326.6 pounds from tackle to tackle, which is complemented by 187-pound running back Alexander Robinson, who leads the Big 12 in rushing. ISU will put pressure on A&M's interior defensive linemen. Quarterback Austen Arnaud has run/pass numbers comparable to A&M's Jerrod Johnson. A&M needs sure-tackling games from safeties Trent Hunter and Jordan Pugh to put ISU into passing situations. Edge: ISU

ISU's pass attack vs. A&M's pass defense: Arnaud is a much better passer this year, probably because the Cyclones run the ball better. ISU has allowed only four sacks, which leads the nation, but the Aggies rattled Texas Tech's Taylor Potts enough last week to get him replaced. ISU needs to be aware of A&M's Von Miller, who leads the nation with 12.5 sacks. Edge: ISU

Special teams: ISU has a pair of solid seniors in punter Mike Brandtner (42.7 average) and place-kicker Grant Mahoney (three field goals beyond 50 yards). A&M has switched punters and keeps tinkering with its coverage teams with good results. Edge: Even

Intangibles: Neither team will be in danger of looking ahead, but will either or both be living off last week's accomplishments? The status of Arnaud and Robinson, who didn't play last week, could be the determining factor. Will both be 100 percent? Will the week off make them fresh? Or will they be game-time decisions? ISU won't win at Kyle Field without Arnaud and Robinson, even though A&M fans are still waiting to see their home-field advantage. Edge: A&M.

-- Robert Cessna