Texas vs Texas A&M 2025: Historic Rivalry Renewed in SEC

After years apart, Texas and Texas A&M renew their storied rivalry on Thanksgiving weekend. This isn’t just another game—it’s the return of one of college football’s most intense in-state rivalries, now with SEC stakes attached.

Game Information

Date: Friday, November 28, 2025 (Day After Thanksgiving) Time: 6:30 PM CT / 7:30 PM ET Location: Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas TV: TBA (National Broadcast) Matchup: #11 Texas (7-3, 4-2 SEC) vs #3 Texas A&M (10-0, 7-0 SEC) Stakes: Playoff positioning, SEC standing, in-state bragging rights, SEC Championship implications

The Rivalry Returns

Historical Background

The Texas-Texas A&M rivalry, known as the “Lone Star Showdown,” was one of college football’s longest-running series. The two programs faced off annually from 1915 to 2011 before Texas A&M’s move to the SEC ended the regular-season series.

All-Time Series:

Texas leads the overall series historically
Last meeting: 2011
Years apart: 2012-2024
2025: The rivalry renewed in SEC

Why It Ended

When Texas A&M left the Big 12 for the SEC in 2012, the rivalry went on hiatus. Pride, scheduling conflicts, and conference realignment kept these rivals apart for over a decade.

Why It’s Back

Texas’ move to the SEC in 2024 reunited these bitter rivals. Now they compete in the same conference, ensuring annual meetings and raising the stakes even higher.

Texas Longhorns: #10 and Fighting

Season Overview

Record: 7-3 (4-2 SEC) Ranking: #11 (AP & Coaches) SEC Standing: 4th place (SEC East)

Recent Form

Texas enters having proven they belong in the SEC:

Key Victories:

vs #6 Oklahoma (23-6): Red River dominance
vs #9 Vanderbilt (34-31): Arch Manning’s 328-yard masterpiece
@ Kentucky (16-13 OT): Gutsy road win
@ Mississippi State (45-38 OT): Overtime thriller

Losses:

@ Florida (21-29): Only SEC loss

Texas’ Path to This Game

Texas must first face:

@ #5 Georgia (November 15): Massive test in Athens
vs Arkansas (November 22): Must-win home game

The Longhorns’ record entering the Texas A&M game could range from 7-4 to 9-2, depending on these results.

What Texas Brings

Strengths:

Arch Manning: 2,123 yards, 18 TDs, dual-threat ability
Clutch Factor: 2-0 in overtime games
Big Game Experience: Beat #6 Oklahoma, #9 Vanderbilt
Offensive Balance: Ryan Wingo (593 yards, 5 TDs)
Chip on Shoulder: Playing as underdogs

Weaknesses:

Consistency: Defensive fluctuations
Pressure Handling: 6 Manning interceptions
Underdog Status: First time facing undefeated top-5 team

Texas A&M Aggies: Undefeated and Unstoppable

Season Overview

Record: 10-0 (7-0 SEC) Ranking: #3 (AP & Coaches) SEC Standing: 1st place (SEC West)

Dominant Season

Texas A&M has been the SEC’s biggest surprise, going undefeated and claiming first place:

Notable Victories:

@ Missouri (38-17)
@ LSU (49-25): Dominant road win
@ Arkansas (45-42): Shootout survival
vs Florida (34-17)
vs Mississippi State (31-9)

What Makes A&M Special

Offense:

QB Marcel Reed: 2,193 yards, 19 TDs
RB Rueben Owens II: 542 yards, 5 TDs
WR Mario Craver: 775 yards, 4 TDs
Scoring: 37.8 points per game (12th nationally)
Balanced Attack: 254.9 passing, 204.9 rushing per game

Why They’re 9-0:

Explosive offense (37.8 PPG)
Balanced attack (can beat you multiple ways)
Winning close games (Arkansas)
Strong home field advantage
Championship mentality

What’s at Stake

For Texas

Playoff Implications: A win over #3 Texas A&M would be a résumé-defining victory. Combined with other results, Texas could force their way into CFP discussion.

SEC Standing: Beating the conference leader would validate Texas’ SEC transition and earn respect throughout the conference.

Rivalry Pride: After years apart, Texas wants to prove they’re still the alpha dog in the state of Texas.

Momentum: Heading into 2026, a win over undefeated A&M would provide massive momentum.

For Texas A&M

Perfect Season: Remaining undefeated is the goal. An 11-0 or 12-0 finish leads to SEC Championship and CFP berth.

SEC Championship: Winning out guarantees SEC Championship Game appearance.

Rivalry Superiority: A&M wants to prove they made the right move leaving for the SEC first and establishing themselves before Texas arrived.

National Championship: At 9-0 and #3, A&M has legitimate national title aspirations. Can’t afford slip-ups.

Key Matchups

Arch Manning vs Texas A&M Defense

Manning faces his toughest test yet. A&M’s defense will be prepared and physical.

Manning Must:

Handle pressure and blitzes
Make quick decisions
Use legs when needed (6 rushing TDs)
Avoid costly turnovers
Lead late-game drives if needed

Texas Defense vs Marcel Reed

Marcel Reed has been efficient and productive for A&M. Texas must contain him.

Texas Must:

Generate pass rush
Limit Reed’s running ability
Force him into mistakes
Contain A&M’s playmakers

Trenches Battle

This game will be won at the line of scrimmage.

Offensive Line vs Defensive Line:

Which QB gets more time?
Can Texas run on A&M?
Can A&M control Texas’ run game?

Historical Context

Lone Star Showdown Legacy

This rivalry defined Texas college football for nearly a century:

Classic Moments:

Close games and upsets
Bonfire traditions
In-state recruiting battles
Players choosing sides

What Made It Special:

In-state pride
Every Texan had an allegiance
Thanksgiving week tradition
Recruiting supremacy

Hiatus Impact

The 2012-2024 break:

Recruiting continued competitively
Fan bases maintained animosity
Both programs took different paths
Anticipation built for renewal

SEC Renewal

Now both in the SEC, the rivalry has evolved:

Conference stakes added
Playoff implications
SEC Championship impact
More frequent meetings possible

Keys to Victory

Texas Must:

Slow A&M’s Offense: Can’t get into shootout
Protect Arch Manning: Give him time to operate
Win Turnover Battle: A&M will capitalize on mistakes
Execute Red Zone: Must score TDs, not FGs
Weather the Storm: A&M will have runs of success
Special Teams: Field position battle crucial
Believe: Play with confidence despite underdog status

Texas A&M Must:

Don’t Overlook Texas: Rivalry games are different
Establish the Run: Control game tempo
Pressure Manning: Force mistakes from sophomore QB
Avoid Complacency: Texas will bring their A-game
Win Physically: Impose will in trenches
Protect Home Field: Use 12th Man advantage
Stay Perfect: Handle pressure of undefeated season

Austin Home Field Advantage

Texas’ home crowd will be electric:

Day after Thanksgiving game
Undefeated season on the line
Rivalry renewed
National spotlight
Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium will be rocking
First time the game has been in Austin since 2010

Prediction

This game has all the ingredients for an instant classic:

Factors Favoring Texas A&M:

Undefeated record and #3 ranking
Perfect 10-0 season and 7-0 SEC record
Better overall team stats
Momentum from 10-0 start
More balanced offensive attack
Experience as undefeated team under pressure

Factors Favoring Texas:

Home field advantage (DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium)
Rivalry intensity
Experience in big games (Oklahoma dominant 23-6 win, Vanderbilt 34-31)
Arch Manning’s playmaking and development
Clutch gene (proven in overtime games)
Defensive strength (3rd in SEC scoring defense)
Nothing to lose as underdog

The Verdict: Texas A&M is the rightful favorite as an undefeated top-5 team with a perfect SEC record. However, this is a home game for Texas in one of the nation’s toughest stadiums, and rivalry games rarely follow the script. Texas has the talent, home-field advantage, and recent success to make this highly competitive.

Expect a close, emotional game befitting this rivalry’s return. The team that handles the pressure and executes in the fourth quarter will prevail.

How to Watch

Television: TBA (National Broadcast - to be announced) Streaming: ESPN+ and ESPN App Radio:

Texas Longhorns Radio Network
Texas A&M Aggies Radio Network
SiriusXM College Sports Radio

Kickoff: 6:30 PM CT / 7:30 PM ET Location: Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas Expected Attendance: 100,000+

Looking Ahead

Post-Game Scenarios

If Texas Wins:

Likely 8-4, 9-3, or 10-2 (depending on previous results)
Possible CFP at-large bid
Massive recruiting boost
Rivalry momentum established

If Texas A&M Wins:

Improves to 10-0
SEC Championship Game bound
CFP berth nearly guaranteed
Establishes SEC dominance over Texas

Future of the Rivalry

With both teams in the SEC:

Annual meetings guaranteed
Could meet in SEC Championship
Recruiting battles intensify
Rivalry back to prominence

Bottom Line

The Lone Star Showdown returns on Thanksgiving weekend with more at stake than ever. What was once a Big 12 rivalry is now an SEC slugfest with playoff implications.

For Texas, it’s a chance to make a statement: we’re not just in the SEC, we can compete with the best. For Texas A&M, it’s validation: we got here first and we’re still better.

After 13 years apart, these rivals finally meet again. The hatred never left. The pride never wavered. Now, with the nation watching on Thanksgiving, the Lone Star Showdown writes its next chapter.

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All statistics and information current as of November 20, 2025. Game scheduled for Friday, November 28, 2025, at 6:30 PM CT at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin. Information verified through multiple sources including ESPN, SEC Sports, and official university athletics.