TEXAS VS TEXAS A&M RIVALRY RENEWED.

The eagerly awaited revival of one of college football's most intense rivalries is finally becoming a reality. After a 12-year hiatus marked by incessant banter and bitter exchanges, Texas and Texas A&M are set to reignite their historic gridiron feud. With the release of the 2024 SEC opponents list, it is now official that the Longhorns, along with Oklahoma, will join the SEC, paving the way for the resumption of this long-awaited showdown.

Dubbed the "Lone Star Showdown," the clash between Texas and Texas A&M is undoubtedly the highlight of the SEC's 2024 schedule. The upcoming season will witness a temporary departure from the customary division-based format, as the SEC will transition to a one-year stop-gap arrangement with eight conference games and division-less standings. Since 1992, the league has been divided into East and West divisions, a practice that will be temporarily set aside. Instead, the top two teams at the end of the regular season will lock horns in the SEC Championship Game, replacing the winners of the East and West divisions.

The first face-off between the Longhorns and Aggies as conference rivals will take place at Texas A&M's formidable Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. However, it remains uncertain whether these two powerhouses will clash annually, given Texas' enduring rivalry with Oklahoma, which will continue to be contested at the iconic Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

Nonetheless, the revival of the Texas-Texas A&M rivalry marks a triumphant moment for college football enthusiasts everywhere. As we eagerly anticipate their impending showdown next fall, here's everything you need to know about this storied matchup.

What led to the cessation of the Texas-Texas A&M rivalry? Both teams were longstanding members of the Southwest Conference from 1915 to 1996 before transitioning to the Big 12. However, when Texas A&M made the leap to the SEC in 2012, it brought an abrupt end to a series that had spanned 118 matches since 1894. Though there were discussions of reinstating the rivalry as a nonconference game, these discussions never materialized. In 2013, former Texas AD DeLoss Dodds expressed openness to renewing the rivalry, but strictly on the Longhorns' terms. Dodds' successor, Steve Patterson, later revealed that reigniting the rivalry was not a top priority for him.

Despite the lack of official games, the passion for this rivalry was evident. In response to the dormant state of the rivalry, Texas legislation proposed Bill 412, which would have mandated annual nonconference matchups between the state's flagship universities on specific dates in November. The bill further stipulated that universities refusing to participate would face penalties, including the withholding of athletic scholarships and financial assistance for football players funded by state funds. Unfortunately, this bill failed to gain traction.

In 2022 and 2023, current Texas AD Chris Del Conte attempted to schedule a home-and-home series with Texas A&M, but the Aggies claimed their schedules were already full. However, Del Conte, in 2020, asserted that the rivalry should be reinstated, drawing parallels to the fiercely contested Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn.

Let's delve into the history of this captivating series. The inaugural meeting between Texas and Texas A&M occurred on October 19, 1894, resulting in a resounding 38-0 victory for the Longhorns. However, it wasn't until 1915 that the schools began clashing annually as members of the Southwest Conference. Texas currently holds the upper hand in the all-time series, boasting a 76-37-5 record and securing a victory in their most recent encounter in 2011. As the Aggies prepared to bid farewell to the Big 12 and embark on their SEC journey, the Longhorns snatched a dramatic 27-25 victory with Justin Tucker's 40-yard field goal as time expired, leaving the Kyle Field crowd in stunned disbelief.

The rivalry has been punctuated by several pivotal moments that have shaped its narrative. On November 28, 1963, the game persevered amidst a national tragedy as President John F. Kennedy's assassination loomed over the nation. Texas rallied from a 13-3 fourth-quarter deficit, mustering 12 unanswered points to complete an undefeated regular season.

December 1, 1984, marks a turning point in the rivalry, as Texas A&M delivered a resounding 37-12 victory, signaling a shift in fortunes for the Aggies. Texas experienced a decade-long drought, managing only one win against their arch-rivals during this period.

November 27, 1998, witnessed a remarkable performance by Ricky Williams, who rushed for 259 yards en route to claiming the Heisman Trophy. Despite Texas A&M's valiant efforts, including a late 17-point surge in the fourth quarter, they faltered as Kris Stockton's 24-yard field goal secured a 26-24 victory for Texas.

Tragedy marred the "Bonfire Game" on November 25, 1999, when the collapse of a 59-foot bonfire structure claimed 12 lives and left 27 others injured. The following week, Texas A&M provided an emotional uplift by upsetting the seventh-ranked Texas team, prevailing 20-16 in front of a poignant crowd.

November 25, 2005, witnessed a clash of titans, as Texas entered the game with their sights set on a BCS National Championship. Trailing 22-21 at halftime, the Longhorns orchestrated a stunning second-half comeback, securing a 40-29 victory. Their triumph propelled them to claim the Big 12 Championship and eventually defeat USC in the BCS National Championship Game.