The eyes of Texas – and the entire college football world – turn to College Station this Saturday as the 3rd-ranked Texas Longhorns invade Kyle Field to battle the 20th-ranked Texas A&M Aggies. After a 13-year hiatus, this epic in-state rivalry resumes with sky-high stakes: the winner punches their ticket to the SEC Championship Game against the Georgia Bulldogs.
The Lone Star Showdown, as it’s affectionately known, simmered for over a century as one of college football’s most heated rivalries before conference realignment sent the Aggies to the SEC in 2012. Now, in Texas’ inaugural SEC campaign, the bad blood is set to boil over under the bright lights at Kyle Field.
Aggies Aim to Ambush Longhorns’ Title Dreams
For Texas A&M, this is the opportunity they’ve longed for since joining the SEC – a chance to stick it to their burnt orange rivals on a national stage. And if head coach Mike Elko’s accidental slip is any indication, the Aggies have had this date circled for quite some time.
“Ever since I got here, we’ve been preparing for Tex– I mean, for each week, one game at a time,” Elko stammered at his weekly press conference, catching himself mid-sentence but not before raising eyebrows across the state.
– Mike Elko, Texas A&M Head Coach
That preparation has the Aggies offense humming to the tune of 450+ total yards in five different games this season. Even more impressive: their red zone efficiency. A&M converted all five of their red zone trips into points last week at Auburn, with four resulting in touchdowns.
On the other side of the ball, Texas A&M’s defense has been downright stifling in critical moments. They held LSU’s high-octane attack in check and rank 15th nationally in third-down defense, allowing just a 33% conversion rate. That could spell trouble for a Texas offense that struggled mightily on third downs in their loss to Georgia.
Longhorns Look to Lasso SEC Title Bid
For Texas, this rivalry renewal comes with conference championship implications in their first SEC season. At 11-1, they’re on the cusp of a surprise appearance in the title game. Only an old nemesis stands in their way.
The Longhorns have rebounded nicely since their lone blemish against Georgia, reeling off four straight wins including last week’s 31-14 handling of Kentucky. But quarterback Quinn Ewers is nursing an ankle injury from that contest, adding an element of intrigue to the matchup.
“Quinn’s a competitor. If he can play, he’ll play,” said Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, downplaying concerns over his star QB’s status. “This is the type of game you come to Texas for.”
– Steve Sarkisian, Texas Head Coach
Ewers’ health bears monitoring as Texas hasn’t faced a road test quite like this. Kyle Field’s 100,000+ fans are notorious for creating one of the most hostile environments in the country. If the decibel levels rattle the Longhorns into mistakes, the Aggies could be primed to pounce.
Game Preview & Prediction
Las Vegas oddsmakers peg Texas as 6-point favorites, but there’s a palpable sense that A&M is poised to spring the upset. The Aggies are 5-2 against the spread in the last seven meetings with Texas, while the Longhorns are just 8-16 ATS as road favorites against ranked foes since 2010.
This feels like a prime spot for the 12th Man to will A&M to victory. If Ewers is limited and the Aggies’ defense keeps Texas in 3rd-and-long, look for the Maroon & White faithful to reach a fever pitch as their team controls the clock and tempo.
The Pick: Texas A&M +6
Saturday night in College Station has all the makings of an instant classic as this storied rivalry writes its latest chapter. With a chance to dethrone Texas and seize SEC supremacy, look for the Aggies to rise to the occasion and reclaim bragging rights for the first time in over a decade, cementing their status as a force to be reckoned with in their new conference home.
