It is matchup that's intriguing on a number of levels, from the militaristic to the arcane.

The sellout crowd that will fill Texas A&M's Kyle Field, though, won't be there because the matchup with Virginia Tech features the only other major civilian universities with a Corps of Cadets in the student body. They also are not lured to scream and wave their 12th Man towels out of the curiosity of seeing two of college football's most inscrutable mascots -- Aggies versus Hokies -- lock up in mortal combat.

They'll be there for the same reason fans flock to NASCAR. They want to see speed. And they want to see crashes.

Just Looking For A Win

They'll dedicate a statue to former Baylor coaching great Grant Teaff late Saturday afternoon in Waco, a testament to the glory days of Bear football. Then they'll go play a game against Tulsa that promises to be a monument to bad football; a game that's noteworthy for one reason and only one reason. Somebody has to win. Could it be 1-2 Baylor? It's probably too late to save the job of fourth-year coach Kevin Steele, but the Bears can at least salvage some dignity against a team that's been a whipping boy for everyone the last two years. Could it be 0-3 Tulsa? The Golden Hurricane, downgraded to a perpetually gloomy sky, bring the nation's longest losing streak into Floyd Casey Stadium, 13 games and counting. Neither comes into the game with anything remotely resembling momentum. Baylor was shut out 23-0 by New Mexico, a loss that spurred Steele to say, "Offensively we were totally inept. We got our rear ends handed to us." Tulsa lost to Louisiana Tech, 53-9, a game the Bulldogs dominated despite 130 yards in penalties. "We didn't do our part to make it a game,'' Tulsa coach Keith Burns said. "We've got to get a win. If we get one, we'll have to play smart." Folks in Waco aren't too hopeful that the Bears will play any differently than they have. A poll on the Waco Tribune Herald web site asks readers who'll win more games this year, the Bears or the Houston Texans, the new NFL expansion team. As of Tuesday morning, Baylor hadn't gotten even a sympathy vote. -- Mark Wangrin

Saturday there promises to be both, when the nation's third best rushing offense faces the nation's best rushing defense. Something's got to give.

Tech comes into the game unbeaten behind the speedy halfback tandem of senior Lee Suggs and sophomore Kevin Jones, both of whom ran for at least 150 yards -- Jones for 171, Suggs for 153 -- on 24 carries each in a 47-21 demolition of Marshall last week.

A&M comes into the game with a speedy defense that hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher in more than two seasons and has given up only 67 yards rushing in two games.

"Seeing them against Marshall just line up and take the ball down the field, the announcer said without a pass, and running with two tight ends -- I'm envious that they can just line up with two tight ends,'' said A&M coach R.C. Slocum, whose own offense has been wildly inconsistent and thin at tight end. "It's nothing fancy. I admire the way they do that."

That admiration has its limits of course, and the Aggies will try to show that their defensive stats are not just a product of playing two teams -- Louisiana-Lafayette (0-3) and Pittsburgh (2-1) -- that haven't been able to run against anybody. Pitt is 90th among major college teams in rushing (113.1). Louisiana-Lafayette is 117th out of 117 teams (41.3).

"This game is a different game,'' said Tech coach Frank Beamer. "To just sit there and try to run against A&M all day. ... That just wouldn't be smart."

A&M used the open week to get linebacker Jarrod Penright (thigh bruise) healthy and is ready for the test.

"We're going to slug it out,'' said defensive lineman Ty Warren, "and force them to pass."

Beamer's already expecting it. Bryan Randall, a sophomore quarterback from Williamsburg, Va., got his first start against Marshall and will hold onto the job this week as regular starter Grant Noel recovers from arthroscopic knee surgery.

"We feel he's done a good job taking care of the football,'' said Beamer, whose team has a plus-2.67 turnover margin per game. "That's the way we feel we should go."

Though the matchup of the Tech run game and the A&M rush defense is one to watch, it may not be the factor that decides the game.

A&M's offense, which has struggled, won't get a break against Tech, which is fourth in the nation in rush defense, allowing only 46.0 yards a game.

"I think they have some weapons,'' said Beamer, trying to make A&M's offense at least sound threatening. "It can bust at anytime."

With the Aggies ranking no higher than 52nd in any offensive category, there are some already thinking the bust has already happened.

A&M's biggest plus, aside from its defense, could stand to be the crowd. The 82,600-seat stadium is sold out, and it's one of the most intimidating places to play, especially at night. Tech is a young team. Of the 76 Hokies who dressed for the Marshall game, 45 were freshman or sophomores. Thirteen of their 18 touchdowns have been scored by freshmen or sophomores.

"They talk about the 12th Man and what an exciting situation we're up against,'' Beamer said. "We know it will be loud, so we have to get ready for a situation like this. It's going to be different. All those people behind you are now in your face."

If A&M's defense can do the same to Suggs and Jones, the Aggies might have something to really scream about.

Around the Big 12

Baylor
Baylor's game of musical quarterbacks has stopped for now. Aaron Karas will remain the Bears' starter despite getting pulled in the third quarter of BU's loss to New Mexico. Karas hit only 5 of 12 passes for 15 yards and was replaced by senior Greg Cicero. ... Good news: Under Kevin Steele the Bears have won 6 of 7 games when they've won the turnover battle. Bad News: They've played 36 games.

Colorado
Colorado may have to play the rest of the season without quarterback Craig Ochs, who's expected to decide this week if he'll continue playing after his fourth concussion. If he decides to continue, Ochs could be back by Oct. 5, when the Buffs host Kansas State. ... Ochs' injury and the lack of a passing game have led to other problems. Against USC they gained only 61 yards -- only 7 in the second half -- and had only 4 first downs. The Trojans now lead the nation in total defense. UCLA, this week's foe, is much more generous, allowing 360.5 yards a game total offense.

Kansas
Kansas offensive line coach Ken Conatser resigned last week for personal reasons, forcing first-year coach Mark Mangino to shuffle his staff. Tight end coach Brandon Blaney takes over Conatser's duties, with graduate assistant Rance Holt moving over to coach the tight ends. ... One player he won't coach is David Hurst, who requested and received a switch to the offensive line. Hurst played sparingly in the Jayhawks' win over Southwest Missouri State.

Iowa State
Iowa State, which has gone from darkhorse to one of the favorites for the Big 12 North Division title, is beginning to pick up respect. ISU checked in at No. 21 in the AP Poll, the first time since Oct. 26, 1981 that the Cyclones have been in the top 25. ISU lost to Kansas State, then one of the worst teams in college football, the next week and fell out of the poll. This week the Cyclones are ranked 24th in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll.

Kansas State
Kansas State and quarterback Marc Dunn will get a tough test this week when it hosts USC, which is second in the nation in pass efficiency defense. Dunn has won the starting job away from Ell Roberson and has a pass efficiency rating of 274.26, which would be tops in the Big 12 if not for one key factor -- he's only attempted 20 passes in three games, 10 fewer than he needs to qualify for the rankings. ... USC's visit to Wagner Field will mark the first time the Wildcats have hosted a ranked non-conference foe in Bill Snyder's 14 years as head coach. KSU broke into the rankings this week at No. 23. USC is No. 11.

Missouri
Just when Missouri seemed to be clicking into high gear the Tigers lost to Bowling Green. More importantly, redshirt freshman quarterback Brad Smith was left to operate without a running game. The Tigers had only 55 yards rushing, far below the 253.0 they were averaging coming into the game. ... The Tigers have an open week to address that problem and those on defense, where they were ill prepared for Bowling Green's spread offense. They'd better figure it out -- after a final non-conference game on Sept. 28 against Troy State the Tigers will face Oklahoma on Oct. 5.

Nebraska
Nebraska's 40-7 loss at Penn State dropped the Cornhuskers to No. 18 in the AP poll, the first time they've been 18th or lower in September since 1985. ... Ames, Iowa has rarely struck fear into the hearts of Husker fans, but it might now. NU's fabled defense has given up an average of 46.3 points in its last three trips away from Memorial Stadium. NU visits Ames on Sept. 28 to take on Iowa State. ... Offensive tackle Richie Incognito will miss the first half of the ISU game after being ejected for fighting in the Husker's loss to Penn State.

Oklahoma
Oklahoma receiver Mark Clayton underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair cartilage damage in his left knee, an injury originally suffered in the preseason. He's expected to be ready to play when the Sooners return to action on Sept. 28 against South Florida. ... Receiver Andre Woolfolk's bruised knee is not expected to be serious. ...The Sooners have relied on youth, playing 22 true and redshirt freshmen this season. ... Freshman quarterback Paul Thompson will not redshirt this season and is the top backup to starter Nate Hybl. Thompson came in the UTEP game late in the third quarter and led the Sooners on two scoring drives.

Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State continues to struggle rushing the ball because of injuries. The Cowboys rank 78th among major college teams, averaging 127.3 yards a game. Starter Tatum Bell twisted his ankle on his seventh carry against UCLA, leaving the job to Vernand Morency and Seymore Shaw. Help may be on the way. Greg Jones is expected to be back soon after having his knee scoped late last month. ... Receiver Rashaun Woods is staking a claim to be the top receiver in a receiver-rich conference. He caught 7 for 143 against Ricky Manning, the Bruins' two-time All Pac-10 cornerback, his fourth straight 100-yard game.

Texas
Texas junior Roy Williams has made a complete return from offseason surgery to remove bone chips from his ankle. Against North Carolina he caught a ball behind his helmet, a grab that didn't count because he was out of bounds. Through two games the UT wide receivers have only 16 catches, 10 of them by Williams. ... The Longhorns shifted Derrick Dockery to right tackle with Beau Baker filling in for Dockery at right guard. The moves worked so well that Brown plans to stick with that lineup this week, even as redshirt freshman Jonathan Scott, the regular right tackle, improves from an ankle sprain. Defensive tackle Marcus Tubbs left the UNC game in the first half with a concussion and his availability for the Houston game is uncertain.

Texas A&M
Texas A&M coach R.C. Slocum remained mum on whether he'll go with experience (Mark Farris) or production (Dustin Long) or promise (freshman Reggie McNeal, a longshot) to start against Virginia Tech. Slocum said Farris is the obvious choice because he's played in big games before, "but that might not be right. We're going to continue evaluating everyone in practice and see who gives us the best chance against their pressure." This is the first week Slocum has not ruled out starting McNeal, the multi-talented freshman from Lufkin. ... Slocum has never lost a non-conference game at Kyle Field. The last such Aggie loss came in Jackie Sherrill's final game at A&M in 1988, a game against Alabama that had been moved from the start to the end of that season because of Hurricane Gilbert.

Texas Tech
Texas Tech was able to slow down Mississippi's Eli Manning last week but may have a bigger task at hand this week. North Carolina State's Philip Rivers leads the nation in passing. Tech defensive coordinator Greg McMakin has worked to make the defense quicker, a move that paid dividends with the play of end Adell Duckett, who had an interception return for a touchdown and four blocked passes against Ole Miss. ... Tech quarterback Kliff Kingsbury threw for 270 yards to pass former Texas quarterback Major Applewhite as the Big 12's all-time passing yardage leader (8,392).

Around the WAC
Louisiana Tech nearly broke one of the longest streaks in the nation against Tulsa when Erick Franklin took a kickoff back 84 yards to the Hurricane 7-yard line. Tech hasn't had a kickoff return for a score since 1989. With Penn State up Saturday, the Bulldogs could get plenty more opportunities. ... Fresno State's receiving corps got thinner when sophomore Charles Ealy was dismissed for "conduct detrimental to the team." With Bernard Berrian (knee) still out and Deandre Gilbert slowed by an ankle injury, Adam Jennings has emerged as the go-to receiver and one of the WAC's top punt returners. ... Hawaii will try to get its high scoring offense back on track at UTEP. Before losing to BYU two weeks ago, the Warriors had averaged 50 points in winning four straight games. Quarterback Tommy Chang is expected to be at near full strength from a preseason finger injury. ... UTEP's defense isn't looking forward to facing Hawaii's passing attack. The Miners have allowed 145 points in the last two games, most ever in back-to-back contests in school history. When OU punted on its second possession it stopped a streak of eight possession with a touchdown allowed. ... Rice coach Ken Hatfield spent the open week fine-tuning the Owls' spread option attack. The Owls have already added a shotgun formation to go with the wishbone, veer and single-wing elements and have worked without a huddle. Hatfield could be ready to unleash some new wrinkles against Nevada this weekend. .... SMU running back Keylon Kincade is the first Mustang to open the season with three consecutive 100-yard games since Eric Dickerson and Craig James both did it in 1982. That streak will be tested this week by an Oklahoma State defense that ranks 32nd in the nation against the run (110.33 yards a game). ... San Jose State will have to run the ball better to have a chance to win at Illinois. The Spartans have gained only 69 yards on 56 attempts in their last two games. ... Nevada will be without sophomore running back Chance Kretschmer for the rest of the season. Kretschmer injured his knee on his first carry, when two BYU defenders hit him. Redshirt freshman Matt Milton, who had 93 yards on 21 carries against the Cougars, will replace him in the starting lineup. ... Boise State heads into an open week with some peace of mind at quarterback. B.J. Rhode got his second career start against Wyoming and completed 20 of 29 passes for 204 yards. Rhode replaced starter Ryan Dinwiddie, who broke his ankle against Arkansas on Sept. 7. He'll spend time during the open week working on his touch on deep throws. ... Looking for bright spots in Tulsa's season... Junior running back needs 17 yards to reach the 1,000-yard mark for his career, a number he could get against a Baylor defense that's giving up 120.0 yards a game on the ground.

Mark Wangrin covers college football for the San Antonio News-Express.