The ultimate Southwestern Conference rivalry has been reborn in the SEC, and the Aggies and Longhorns potentially have the postseason on the line.
DALLAS — The date had been circled for months. From the moment the schedules dropped, both Texas and Texas A&M knew Nov. 28 would be different.
The rivalry — once dormant, long debated, always emotional — was back for the second straight year, and with it comes a level of intensity that is unlike any other week.
“Any time you play this game, it’s going to have a different energy about it,” Texas A&M Head Coach Mike Elko said earlier this week.
Back in August, Texas was the presumed favorite, fueled by the rise of Arch Manning, who opened the season among the national Heisman front-runners. But as rivalry week arrives, the picture has shifted. It’s now the visiting Aggies who enter as the expected winner, carrying an undefeated record and a road-tested confidence.
“We’ve gone on the road three other times and won,” Elko continued. “We’re 11-0. That shows maturity.”
Texas A&M’s surge has been led in large part by quarterback Marcel Reed, who has climbed into the nation’s top five in Heisman odds—a rise that mirrors the Aggies’ own national ascent.
“When you look at the explosive ability they have on offense with Marcel Reed, the variety of runners and obviously the receiving corps with [KC] Concepcion and [Mario] Craver leading the way, they’ve got a lot of great receivers that are making plays, tight ends that are making plays,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian acknowledged.
Reed now guides an offense averaging over 35 points per game and more than 430 total yards, while A&M’s defense enters the week ranking top-10 nationally in sacks.
Texas, meanwhile, continues to lean on an offense that, despite inconsistencies, remains capable of explosive stretches — averaging more than 420 yards per game — and a defense ranked inside the top 20 in red-zone efficiency. But none of those stats mean much in a rivalry that has always thrived on the unpredictable.
Tradition looms large this week, too. For many on both rosters, this isn’t just another game — it’s legacy. It’s identity. It’s Texas.
And for the first time in more than a decade, the Lone Star Showdown returns with postseason implications for both programs. Despite Texas entering as the underdog (and despite the Longhorns winning 10 of the 13 meetings between the two since 2000), there’s an old saying about rivalry games: throw out the records. This year, that sentiment feels especially true. A&M continues its push for a College Football Playoff berth, while Texas, though needing help, remains in the hunt as well.
That combination has elevated an already-heated rivalry into a national spotlight matchup.
“I just think this game deserves the spotlight to stand alone,” Sarkisian said. “I think this game deserves that.”
And so, the stage is officially set for a Lone Star–sized showdown, one steeped in history, emotion, playoff urgency, and the electric unknown of a rivalry reborn. When Texas and Texas A&M meet in Austin on Friday, the eyes of Texas and the rest of the college football world will be watching.
How to watch
No. 3 Texas A&M heads to Austin to take on No. 11 Texas Friday at 6:30 p.m. Fans can tune in to watch the rivalry game on WFAA.
Lead Sports Anchor Joe Trahan will be in Austin to get you ready for the game during WFAA News at 5, airing on WFAA+.
- Go to the app store on your Roku, Amazon Fire or Apple TV device.
- Search for “WFAA.”
- Select the WFAA+ app.
- Download the app to your device for free.
- Start watching WFAA around the clock!