The Red River Conference finishes up its fall conference play this weekend with two games.

We’ve got a clash of winless teams in North Texas and Oklahoma facing off in Norman, Okla. Both teams are 0-3 although both have shown flashes. Oklahoma’s loss to Baylor was a 48-21 affair that was 36-21 with 20 minutes to go. UNT’s loss to Texas was 44-26 and North Texas was within 11 until the final minute. 

Meanwhile, the two 3-0 teams in the conference, Baylor and Texas A&M go at it at College Station. A&M has looked perhaps the more dominant with victories of 58-7, 51-6, and 55-13. They’ve spent most of the fall on the road and Head Coach James Lowrey said it’s been a bit of a strain, but more than that has been the size disparity.

“Everyone is a lot bigger than us,” said Lowrey. “I’m staring at these teams and thinking, why can’t we have some size?”

the lament is made somewhat in jest because Lowrey knows how to deal with that issue.

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“Our forwards’ depth has been a real strength,” he said. “It’s been very pleased to see the durability and the physicality we’ve been able to bring to the game. We’ll have a few guys come back for the spring and it will be hard to select the side next year.”

Those forwards had done enough to get some space for the backs. Wing Ryan McCauley and center Jason Tidwell lead the team with six tries and five tries, respectively. And with flyhalf Elias Young setting them up and kicking goals, they can score points.

So, too, can Baylor. New Head Coach Will Magie said he has been enjoying making the commute from Austin, where he plays for the Austin Gilgronis, and Waco to work with the Bears rugby program.

Magie has been benefitting from some nice work from flyhalf Michael Hand, who has nine tries and leads the conference with 69 points in only three games. Flanker William Honderich adds some try-scoring punch, and while the backline has been strong, Magie said it’s the strong scrum and the forwards working within the attacking system that has Baylor winning.

Now, of course, they get to test themselves against the only other 3-0 team.

“We know it’ll be tough,” said the USA flyhalf. “A&M practices three nights a week with another video session on top of that, so they are very much a proper program, very well organized and clear favorites. But we’ve got a great group of guys who are enjoying the journey we’re on right now and are hungry to succeed.”

A&M will be saying goodbye to three players Saturday as longtime A&M rugby players Tommy Batterson (prop) and Aidan Russo and somewhat newer player Zach Solas will be graduating this semester. 

“We want to send them off with a win,” said Lowrey. “I am a big fan of them as young men. This is also the last chance for a few players to show they deserve the start in the spring. We are aware of Baylor’s physicality, but our boys are up to the task.”