Few contests in college football are as powerful as Texas versus Texas A&M, and this year’s game is added with all the old resentment and new SEC stakes in tow. The two met up for the first time in 1894, and Texas would dominate much of the series, with A&M having its own surge in the 1980s and early 1990s. The rivalries lasted a long time after conference realignment split the schools, but they revived in the SEC era with a matchup that again features state pride, bragging rights for recruiting and a year-round conversation point between friends. All snaps in this game are more than a matter of their value on the scoreboard; they are yet another chapter in a century-old fight over who truly owns the Lone Star State.
This edition throws big postseason implications into the emotion. Texas opens at 8–3 and 5–2 in the SEC, scrambling for a premium bowl spot and hoping to pad its national standings as a team. Texas A&M, for its part, is unbeaten at 11–0 and 7–0 in the league, ranked No. 3 in the College Football Playoff rankings and at the top of the SEC standings, so getting a win keeps the Aggies squarely in playoff contention and headed toward Atlanta. For the Longhorns, tearing apart the perfect season and playoff bid for A&M would be a season-defining statement under 5th year head coach Steve Sarkisian. For the Aggies, beating their oldest rival with everything on the line would be good enough evidence of a championship-caliber year.
Who wins this iteration of one of college football’s oldest rivalries? Our staff shares their thoughts on how the game shakes out.
Jameson McCausland (9-2)
I think the Texas offense has what it takes to win this game, but my confidence is waning on the defense with each passing week (literally).
A&M has shown they can win games in a variety of different ways and this will be the toughest test for the Texas secondary since the Ohio State game.
Score Prediction: Texas A&M 35, Texas 31
Aaron Carrara (7-4)
The Longhorns sorely missed linebacker Anthony Hill last week against Arkansas but managed to win despite being gouged for more than 500 yards of total offense. Hill is expected to be back this week against Texas A&M, and Pete Kwiatkowski’s group will need him if they intend on stopping Marcel Reed and the Texas A&M offense. A turnover or two and a few timely stops would go a long way in this game, and the Longhorns need to make them happen if they want to pull off the upset over a really good Aggie team.
If the Texas offense continues to get smart play from Arch Manning, the Longhorns have a good chance at finishing the season at 9-3. Even better, if the running game finds an identity, I am confident Texas wins this game.
Score Prediction: Texas 38, Texas A&M 35
Marc Henry (7-4)
When Texas and Texas A&M meet, it’s never just another game. It’s a rivalry built on history, intensity, and plenty of blood, sweat, and tears.
This year, the stakes are even higher. Texas welcomes an undefeated Aggie squad aiming to lock up a spot in the SEC Championship Game and strengthen its College Football Playoff case.
For the Longhorns, the path to victory starts up front. They must establish the line of scrimmage early and keep Arch Manning clean, giving him the time and space to attack downfield. Defensively, Texas needs to limit A&M quarterback Marcel Reed and prevent the Aggies from generating more than a handful of explosive plays. Pressure, discipline, and forcing third-and-long situations will be key.
Score Prediction: Texas 31, Texas A&M 21
Devon Messinger (8-3)
The Longhorns, who entered the year as the nation’s top-ranked team, now find themselves on the brink of College Football Playoff elimination. With a win over their rival, they can keep an outside shot alive. With a loss… well, there’s always next year.
Texas A&M has been the better team all season, and the numbers back it up. The Aggies have delivered more consistent performances on both sides of the ball, and at quarterback, Marcel Reed has quietly put together a strong campaign – good enough to give him the fifth-best Heisman odds.
Still, the Lone Star Showdown is a rivalry game, and in rivalry games, anything can happen. For a Texas team that desperately needs a victory, the question becomes: can they pull one more trick out of the hat?
If the Longhorn secondary can do a respectable job containing A&M’s wide receivers, they’ll have a chance. But Arch Manning will also need to turn in another efficient outing – one where he distributes the ball and keeps the offense moving.
Score Prediction: Texas 24, Texas A&M 21
Mitch Lovell (8-3)
Texas gets another much-needed top-10 win on Saturday in its home finale. The first time Texas A&M plays in Austin in 15 years will lead to an electric crowd at DKR. The Longhorns will start strong behind explosive plays from Arch Manning and a couple of first-half turnovers forced by the Texas defense. Like all season, Texas will have to hold on in the second half. Not sure this win will be enough to get Texas into their 3rd straight College Football Playoff, but if nothing else, Texas will go 3-0 against their rivals once again.
Score Prediction: Texas 35, Texas A&M 34
