In terms of win-loss records, Texas A&M has had better seasons than 1998. The Aggies, who enter the Sugar Bowl ranked 8th in the AP poll and 9th in the USA Today/ESPN coaches poll, also have finished previous seasons ranked higher than the ’98 squad.

But perhaps no other A&M team in school history has ever given its fans such tremendous thrills or a more memorable season as the ’98 Aggies. In the 103 seasons prior to this year, Texas A&M had never beaten a second- or top-ranked team.

This year's team did it. Twice.

Texas A&M (11-2, 8-1 Big 12), destroying its image as a team that couldn't win the big game, beat then-No. 2 Nebraska on Oct. 10 to vault the Aggies eight spots higher in the national polls and into contention for the Big 12 title.

"This is why you play major college football," outspoken senior tight end Dan Campbell said after the Aggies’ 28-21 win over the previously unbeaten Huskers. "It doesn't get any better than this."

On Dec. 5 in St. Louis, however, it got better. Entering the Big 12 championship game as an 18-point underdog and without its starting quarterback, A&M stunned No. 1 Kansas State in a double-overtime

thriller that may have been the Aggies’ finest hour since the 1939 squad beat Tulane to win the school’s only national championship.

Coincidentally, the ’39 Aggies won it all in the Sugar Bowl. The victory over undefeated Kansas State, perhaps the biggest win since the 1940 Sugar Bowl, earned A&M its first return trip to New Orleans.

"What a season," said junior tailback Dante Hall. "What a team."

The 1998 season was certainly a team effort for the Aggies. Other than All-American linebacker Dat Nguyen, A&M was without big-name stars.

The Aggies won 11 games, including 10 consecutive, because of the abundance of players that stepped up, making big plays and coming through with key performances. Each week, it seemed, the Aggies had different players making the big plays. For example:

• In the opener against Florida State, redshirt freshman linebacker Christian Rodriguez sacked FSU quarterback Chris Weinke, causing a fumble that another redshirt freshman, cornerback Jay Brooks, scooped up and raced into the end zone to give the Aggies a halftime lead. A&M eventually lost the game, but got the nation's attention, especially with its stifling defensive play.

• Warrick Holdman dominated the defensive effort against preseason Top 25 foe Southern Mississippi, with one sack and seven tackles, including two for losses.

• Wide receiver Chris Cole revitalized a lethargic offense with 174 receiving yards against North Texas.

• Dante Hall rescued the Aggies from a potentially disastrous loss against Kansas, rushing for 178 yards and three touchdowns.

• Against Nebraska, true freshman fullback Ja'Mar Toombs crushed the Cornhuskers for 110 rushing yards and one touchdown.

• Junior quarterback Randy McCown was a sizzling 9-of -14 for 195 yards against Baylor.

• Punter/holder Shane Lechler's touchdown pass on a fake field goal keyed the win over Texas Tech.

• Senior quarterback Branndon Stewart came off the bench against Oklahoma State and, on his first play from scrimmage, tossed a touchdown pass to Chris Taylor.

• Jason Webster returned the first punt of his career 55 yards for a touchdown against Oklahoma.

• Kicker Russell Bynum drilled the game-winning field goal against Missouri to clinch the Big 12 South title.

• Stewart and fellow forgotten senior tailback Sirr Parker ignited the dramatic comeback win over Kansas State in the Big 12 title.

"Every week, somebody different has stepped up and made the big plays when we needed it most," said senior safety Rich Coady, who had plenty of big plays, as well. "We'd get in a tight situation, and we truly believed that somebody would step up. It didn't matter (whom), but we knew it was going to happen. That's been the key to our success this season. It's been a total team effort."

Outstanding, consistent defense has been another major key. A&M scored more than 29 points only two times this season and, entering the Big 12 title game, the Aggies' offense was ranked 95th nationally.

Those certainly aren’t typical numbers for a Top 10 team. But it worked for the Aggies because of their outstanding defense. A&M's defense, ranked fourth nationally, allowed opponents just 14.6 points per game. Only one opponent — Kansas State in the Big 12 title game scored as many as 30 points against the Aggies. The Wildcats needed overtime to do that.

"You can't say enough about the Wrecking Crew," McCown said. "All year long those guys have played outstanding. And when you have a defense that plays as well as ours does, you're always going to have a chance to win."

Perhaps the No. 1 reason A&M won its first conference title since 1993 is because of intangibles. The Aggies were gutsy, gritty and hard-nosed all year long. And in many close games, A&M simply out-hustled and "out-hearted" opponents.

"This team has as much heart as any I’ve ever been associated with," 10th-year A&M head coach R.C. Slocum said. "It’s been an easy and pleasurable team to coach. No matter what the situation, this team never gave up and never quit."