Those who didn’t grow up in Texas may not know just how much the Texas vs. Texas A&M rivalry means. It might just be the one thing Longhorns and Aggies can agree on: their rivalry is the best in the state.
Growing up outside of Texas, people associate the Longhorns with the Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma while Texas A&M serves as the Lone Star representative for the best conference in college football. These two teams were always talked about together, but never faced off in any sport.
No matter where these two teams are in the college football world, the energy will not change. That’s why it may even be silly to ask the question: ‘What’s at stake for this game?’
The beauty of this game, more than almost any other in the rest of the college football world, is that the rest of the world does not matter. For the past few ‘The Game’ matchups in the North, Michigan and Ohio State had parameters set up when heading into the game. The winner plays in the Big Ten championship and likely in the College Football Playoff. Even the Iron Bowl, another fantastic college football rivalry, has recently been seen through the lens of, ‘Can Auburn upset the mighty Crimson Tide?’
None of these questions will matter come Nov. 30. This game encapsulates what makes people love college football. For three long hours in the night, all that matters to an entire stadium, two fanbases, and, in this case, an entire state, is right in front of you.
But there still have to be some answers to the question of what is at stake.
First, pride is the number one motivator and piece of the human psyche that is on the line. Texas fans have held the Lone Star Showdown win in 2011 over their friends, coworkers and family for 13 years now. This year, A&M finally has a chance to take those bragging rights home.
This is also showcased in other sports. The two teams split this season’s volleyball matchups, something that could’ve gotten heated if one team was doubly victorious, so there is less to work from this year. But in baseball, the Aggies were able to throw a ‘Horns down’ sign and ride the wave of pride after winning all but one of the two teams’ last seven matchups, most recently eliminating the Longhorns from the NCAA tournament in the 2024 College
Station Regional.
However, what players should focus most on is the legacy they represent. It’s almost certain Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian will bring in Longhorn heroes such as Justin Tucker and Colt McCoy, while Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko will have seminars featuring Cyrus Gray, the hero of its last win against the Longhorns.
This game will be immeasurably special for the players involved, a group of individuals bringing a piece of history back to an entire state. Who even cares about possible implications on the College Football Playoff or SEC standings? What’s at stake is the honor of representing the winning side of the Lone Star Showdown.
Current college seniors were just 8 years old when the two teams last met on the gridiron, so many young generations have no idea of the stakes that are on the line with a game like this.
