Texas vs. Texas A&M: End of Rivalry Because of UT's Shadow over A&M
November 25, 2011
What was one of the oldest rivalries in college football will see its final game for the foreseeable future tonight, and it's not because of Texas' or Texas A&M's program going under.
Instead it's because of the almighty dollar, one university's ability to obtain it and the other's jealousy.
This all started when the University of Texas launched their own television network in a partnership with ESPN. The Longhorn Network opened up a new revenue stream that only the Longhorns could profit from.
This new television network not only upset their fanbase but in-state school Texas A&M as well.
Tonight it's the end of a rivalry that began in 1894. Tonight's winner just doesn't get bragging rights for the following year—they get to brag as long as they want until these two teams meet again.
Texas head coach Mack Brown is telling his players they have a chance at making history tonight:
"You should enjoy this because this could be the last time that Texas ever plays Texas A&M," Brown said he told them. "If that happens, you've got something to talk to your kids about, your grandkids about, you'll be part of history. I also told them…you'd like for it to be a good memory."
Texas A&M president R. Bowen Loftin said in August that, "the Aggies were considering a departure from the Big 12 after months of barely disguised angst over Texas and its Longhorn Network, as well as the future of the league. Loftin called it a '100-year decision' and said he had approached the SEC commissioner back in July."
It's a shame that this rivalry that has lasted more than 100 years has to come to an end because of money. But the Aggies felt that they could not compete with the Longhorns and their television network.
With UT and the Longhorn Network, it was the final straw that broke the Aggies' back. Texas A&M felt they needed to move out of Texas' shadow by branching out into the Southeastern Conference.
Texas A&M has always been the little brother to the University of Texas. The Longhorns have always dominated the headlines, have won more football National Championships and have the richer history when it comes to their football rivalry.
With Texas A&M in the SEC it can give the school its own identity; Texas A&M is no longer playing second place to Texas in their conference.
Texas A&M got out of the Longhorns' large shadow. It's just a shame that these two schools couldn’t come to a compromise to save one of the best rivalries in college football history.