Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is eagerly awaiting to join the SEC, and he’s even more thrilled to re-ignite the rivalry with Texas A&M.
While appearing on the Locked on SEC podcast, the Longhorns’ head coach spoke on a handful of topics such as leaving the Big 12 after this season, preparing for this year’s rematch with Alabama, and naturally, re-igniting the rivalry with the Aggies.
For a breakdown of his larger comments, feel free to dissect his words which were shared through 247Sports.
As it pertains to the Maroon and White, here’s what Sarkisian had to say about facing his future in-state rival in SEC play:
“I love the pageantry and the passion of college sports. I’ve been part of some great rivalries throughout my career. The Red River Showdown is the best game I’ve ever been a part of. Texas-Texas A&M, I remember as a kid growing up in California watching that game on Thanksgiving weekend.
I remember those two competing against each other and all the pageantry and the fanfare that went with it. I’m a fan of all that. As close to home as this rivalry is, I can’t wait for it to get back.
That’s why we’re in college sports. As much as we talk about it, households get divided. That’s what it’s for. It’s bragging rights for 365 days. I am definitely looking forward to it. We’ll see how it all shakes out here in a year so.”
The Lone Star Showdown between these two football programs was on display every year between 1915 and 2011 until Texas A&M departed the Big 12 to join the SEC during the 2010-12 Southeastern Conference Realignment. The Longhorns currently lead the all-time series 76-37-5 while coming out on top in their last meeting back in November 2011, in a 27-25 victory.
The next head-to-head between these rivals is set for the 2024 season in College Station.
Sarkisian hits the nail on the head when he highlights the beauty of bitter rivalries in college sports. Sure, one program may have recent success over the other, and it’s easy to flaunt that in the face of another fanbase. But if your team gets a coveted win over their hated foe, then you’re liable to exercise those bragging rights for the next 365 days on the calendar, and no one can tell you otherwise.
Having the playful hatred between these two schools back on display will only make college football better, and it gives added anticipation for that nostalgic Thanksgiving matchup.
The Longhorns should be interesting to watch with the highly touted Arch Manning possibly under center, while A&M’s heralded 2022 recruiting class will be upperclassmen by this time, potentially giving the Maroon and White a clear advantage.
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