Texas A&M football takes on 4-6 Auburn in Jordan-Hare Stadium on Nov. 23 in Week 13. The following weekend, there will be more than just postseason dreams on the line when the Aggies renew their rivalry with the Texas Longhorns on Saturday, Nov. 30.
These two programs have been waiting to meet on the gridiron for 13 years and now find the matchup holding more implications than ever before. Whichever team wins in the regular season finale guarantees itself a spot in the SEC Championship — while the other team will have to watch from the couch, surely hoping the worst for its rival.
The last time A&M played Texas was in 2011 before the Aggies ditched the Big 12 for the SEC. That rendition of the Lone Star Showdown came down to one matchup: Burnt Orange offense and Maroon and White defense.
A late passing touchdown and failed two-point conversion by then-starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill gave the Aggies a one-point lead over the Longhorns, 25-24, with just 1:42 left on the clock for the Texas offense.
Texas QB Case McCoy led the Longhorns down the field, in part thanks to a 15-yard penalty committed by A&M. With over 100 years of hatred on the line, now-NFL legend Justin Tucker kicked a 40-yard field goal as the clock struck 0:00, winning the game for Texas, 27-25.
Now, in 2024, this matchup again comes down to how well the Fightin’ Farmer defense can handle the Longhorn offense. With SEC Championship and College Football Playoff implications on the line, both sides will need to prepare for what each will bring to the 119th rendition of the Lone Star Showdown.
The Wrecking Crew has had a very up and down season in 2024. In its only two losses to Notre Dame and South Carolina, A&M was dominated on the ground, giving up 198 and 286 yards, respectively.
After losing presumed starters in the backfield, including sophomore running back CJ Baxter and highly-touted true freshman RB Christian Clark, Texas has struggled to get the run game going. With only one healthy scholarship player in junior RB Jaydon Blue, the Longhorns running back committee ranks 89th in rushes for 10+ yards. Coach Steve Sarkisian’s team averages only 161.6 rushing yards per game, which ranks 65th in the nation, going into Week 13.
When A&M managed to shut down the run against Florida, Missouri and LSU, it forced the other teams to become one-dimensional in their playcalling. This allows the Maroon and White defensive line to focus on rushing the passer. Replicating this performance against the boys from Austin will be critical for A&M
If the Aggies’ heralded 2025 NFL Draft prospects in junior defensive ends Shemar Stewart and Nic Scourton are able to pressure redshirt junior QB Quinn Ewers early, A&M defensive coordinator Jay Bateman will have a shot at slowing Texas’ 12th-ranked passing offense.
Looking to slow down the Aggies’ pass rushers will be the Longhorns’ studs on the offensive line. The duo of juniors Kelvin Banks Jr. and Cameron Williams, look to both be picked in the first round of this upcoming draft.
Elite talent up front combined with a screen-dependent passing game means Ewers might manage to keep his white jersey clean when the Longhorns make their way to Kyle Field.
Ewers has been feeding his receivers well this season, with seven of them hauling in over 200 yards and three of those bringing in over 400. Senior tight end Gunnar Helm leads the Longhorns in receiving yards and receptions with 493 yards and 37 catches. Meanwhile, junior Houston transfer wide receiver Matthew Golden leads Texas in receiving touchdowns with eight to his name.
Wrasslin’ the receiving cattle will be up to a handful of Aggie defenders. Sophomore linebacker and defensive captain Taurean York leads the team in tackles with 55 and has also managed to secure himself 1.5 sacks so far, this season. He will be assigned to the middle of the field, dealing with everything inside the numbers.
The other two most important defenders for the Fightin’ Farmers will be senior UAB transfer cornerback BJ Mayes and junior Kansas State transfer CB Will Lee III. Mayes earned a bigger role in coach Mike Elko’s defense after injuries to starting senior nickel-corner Tyreek Chappell. He has excelled in the expanded role, showcasing physicality and playmaking ability in the slot.
Meanwhile, the man referred to as “The Blanket,” Lee, has led the Aggies on the defensive boundary all season. Right now he leads the team in passes defended with nine to his name, so his hands are sure to be full dealing with the Longhorns’ high-profile pass catchers.
For A&M to succeed on Nov. 30, it will need to handicap the Texas offense early, forcing it into obvious passing downs. Tackling will also be a key focus as poor form is what allowed the Gamecocks to run rampant on the Wrecking Crew. Staying penalty free will also help the Aggie defense get off the field fast versus the lethal Longhorn offensive attack.
Success for the Texas offense means establishing an effective passing game complemented by an efficient rushing attack. If Ewers brings his best, then the Longhorns might just send the Wrecking Crew to the unemployment line.
They say defense wins championships, and for A&M, it means everything — playing for the SEC Championship, a bid for the CFP and silencing the t-sippers in Austin.
