Texas A&M HC Mike Elko can't hide excitement for Texas Longhorns rivalry game as both teams aim for College Football Playoff

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The Texas A&M vs. Texas Longhorns rivalry game is one that never should have went away at any time. The Aggies and Longhorns played 118 times and 114 years in a row prior to Texas A&M's initial departure for the SEC. Last year, after a 12-year hiatus, the rivalry rightfully returned with both teams competing to get to the SEC Championship Game, but the Aggies fell short as the team failed down the stretch in 2024.

This year, both teams are competing for a trip to the SEC Championship Game and a spot in the College Football Playoff yet again, so the stakes are high. Following Texas A&M's easy win over Samford this week, coach Elko couldn't hide his excitement for yet another shot at the Longhorns.

Mike Elko addresses how magnified this year's A&M vs Texas rivalry game will be

This year's rivalry game is obviously going to be a huge one for Mike Elko and the Texas A&M Aggies. They're one game away from completing an undefeated regular season. Last year's loss still stings as it put a stamp on the Aggies' derailed hopes in 2024. A massive game from Marcel Reed could thrust him into the Heisman Trophy finalist ranks. If A&M wins they could secure a first round bye in the College Football Playoff. After the easy win on Saturday, coach Elko was asked multiple questions about the Texas rivalry and he didn't shy away from how important this one is:

"I think the beauty of the next one for us is kind of hammers itself home. That's the nice thing about having that rivalry at the end of the season. I'm not sure that there's anything for Texas A&M football to look past with that game Friday night [against Texas]. We know what that game means. What know what it's all about. We know we didn't get it done last year. We know how important it is for us to go out there and play our best football Friday night."

Last year, A&M quarterback Marcel Reed failed to score even one touchdown and he threw an interception. The A&M offense completely sputtered, handing Steve Sarkisian and Texas their 11th win of the regular season. This year, the offenses are both completely different. Arch Manning is at the helm for the Longhorns and he's heating up. Marcel Reed is averaging three touchdowns and over 300 total yards of offense per game as one of the elite QBs in the game. This rivalry has had many big time games before, but this one it going to be one of the most historic, and Elko knows it:

"This game is always going to be big. It's always going to mean something. I think when both teams are playing at a high level it's going to magnify it. That's what I felt like last year was. In addition to [the rivalry] coming back you also had two teams playing for a spot in Atlanta [for the SEC Championship Game]. This year you're going to have one team playing for a spot in the playoff, one team playing for a spot in [the SEC Championship Game]. When that's the case, this game is going to be magnified. I don't think there's any other way around it. That just adds a little bit to it."

This is a potential statement game, a legacy game, for Mike Elko. He and the Texas A&M program have an opportunity to do something they have never done before: go undefeated, win the SEC, and win a national championship. All of their goals can truly begin to come to fruition this week. Hopefully A&M gets it done in what should be a potential game of the year.

We’ll be back with more Texas A&M Aggies coverage here at A to Z Sports soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!

This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Nov 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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