Texas A&M vs Texas football. It’s finally back. For thirteen years, the biggest game in the state—and maybe the country—was basically a ghost.
We had to settle for bickering on message boards and Twitter. Then 2024 happened. The Longhorns moved to the SEC, and the "Lone Star Showdown" officially climbed out of its grave. Honestly, it felt like the world was right again.
If you weren’t at Kyle Field on November 30, 2024, you missed a bloodbath. It wasn't high-scoring, but it was mean. Texas won 17-7. It was the first time they’d played since 2011, and the tension was thick enough to choke a horse. 109,028 people packed into that stadium. That’s not a typo. Over a hundred thousand people screaming their lungs out for a game that lived up to every bit of the hype.
The Longhorns didn't just win; they bullied their way into the SEC Championship game in their very first year in the league. Meanwhile, the Aggies were left wondering what could have been.
The 2024 and 2025 Games Changed Everything
People thought the rivalry might have cooled off after a decade. They were wrong.
The 2024 game was a defensive masterclass. Texas quarterback Arch Manning—yeah, that Manning—scored the first touchdown on a 15-yard keeper. It set the tone early. The Aggies' offense was essentially stuck in mud all night. They only managed 248 total yards. Think about that. In a game of this magnitude, their only score came from the defense. Will Lee III intercepted Quinn Ewers and took it 93 yards to the house. The place went nuts, but it wasn't enough.
Then came the 2025 sequel in Austin.
Texas won that one too, 27-17. This one was even more painful for the Maroon and White. A&M walked into Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium with an 11-0 record. They were ranked No. 3 in the country. They were a win away from a perfect season and a guaranteed spot in the SEC title game. Texas, sitting at 8-3, played the role of the spoiler perfectly.
Why the Gap Existed (and Why it Ended)
Money and ego. Usually, that’s the answer in college sports, right? When A&M left for the SEC in 2012, the relationship didn't just end; it imploded. There were bills filed in the Texas legislature to force them to play. It didn't work. Athletic directors traded barbs. Fans argued about who "ducked" who.
Basically, the two schools were like a divorced couple who refused to be in the same room.
💡 You might also like: Why the Los Angeles Dodgers News and Rumors Won’t Stop (Even After Two Titles)
Then the SEC expanded again. Once Texas and Oklahoma joined the party in 2024, the "Lone Star Showdown" became a conference requirement. No more hiding. No more scheduling "conflicts."
A History Built on Class Warfare
Most people think this is just about football. It’s not. It started as a cultural divide.
Back in the day, Texas was the "university of the first class," meant for doctors, lawyers, and the "genteel." A&M was the school for farmers and soldiers. It was urban vs. rural. "Tea-sips" vs. "Farmers." Even though both schools are massive research powerhouses now, those old stereotypes still fuel the fire.
You can hear it in the songs.
- The Aggie War Hymn mentions "Texas University" twice in the second verse.
- Texas Fight explicitly says "and it's goodbye to A&M."
They literally cannot talk about their own schools without insulting the other. It's beautiful.
The Numbers That Matter
If you look at the all-time record, it looks lopsided. Texas leads the series 78-37-5. But if you talk to an Aggie, they'll tell you about the 80s and 90s when they absolutely owned the Longhorns. From 1984 to 1994, A&M went 10-1 against Texas.
The home-field advantage is real here.
👉 See also: Cristiano Ronaldo Won the 2017 Ballon d’Or and It Wasn’t Even Close
- Texas at home: 47-13-1
- A&M at home: 27-22-2
Winning in College Station is hard. Winning in Austin is arguably harder. The fact that Texas went into Kyle Field in 2024 and walked out with a W is a massive feather in Steve Sarkisian's cap.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Traditions
You’ve probably heard about the Aggie Bonfire. It started in 1907 to celebrate a win over Tulane, but it eventually became the symbol of the Texas game. After the tragic collapse in 1999 that killed 12 students, the tradition changed, but the spirit stayed. When the rivalry returned in 2024, that 1999 game was heavily referenced. It’s the one moment where the hate stops and both sides show real respect.
Then there's Bevo.
The legend says the Longhorn mascot got his name because Aggies branded the score "13-0" onto a steer. Not true. The name "Bevo" appeared in a magazine before the branding happened. But the Aggies did brand him. And the Longhorns did eventually barbecue the first Bevo and invite the Aggies to eat him.
That’s the level of petty we’re dealing with here.
How to Navigate the New Era of the Rivalry
If you're planning on going to the 2026 game in College Station, you need to be prepared. This isn't a casual Saturday afternoon.
- Secure tickets early. In 2024, secondary market tickets were going for thousands. Don't wait.
- Watch the trenches. In the 2024 matchup, Texas won because they dominated the line of scrimmage. A&M’s offensive line couldn't breathe.
- Respect the traditions. If you’re a Texas fan at Kyle Field, don’t be surprised when the entire student body stands the whole game. It’s the 12th Man. It’s what they do.
- Follow the recruiting trail. The real "Lone Star Showdown" happens in the living rooms of high school juniors in Houston and Dallas. Whoever wins the state in recruiting usually wins the game in November.
The 2026 matchup is already circled. It’ll be back at Kyle Field. A&M will be looking for revenge for the back-to-back losses in '24 and '25. Texas will be trying to prove that the "big brother" dynamic is back for good.
Stay updated on the injury reports as we get closer to November. Watch how Marcel Reed develops for the Aggies—his growth was the bright spot in an otherwise tough 2025 season. For the Longhorns, keep an eye on how they replace the veteran leadership on that defensive line that caused so much havoc.
Check the official SEC schedule releases for the specific kickoff time, which usually drops about two weeks before the game. Make your travel arrangements for College Station at least six months out if you want a hotel room within 30 miles of the stadium.