For those hoping to see a renewal of one of college football’s most iconic rivalries, we strongly urge you to not hold your breath.
In an interview with Mike Finger of the San Antonio Express-News, Texas athletic director Steve Patterson was asked once again about the possibility of a game against hated in-state rival Texas A&M. And, once again, Patterson appeared to have absolutely no interest in rekindling the rivalry.
“Until there’s a case made that it makes sense to play a game against another school in the state of Texas, I don’t see us focusing on it,” the AD said.
Prior to the Aggies leaving for the SEC in 2012, the UT-A&M game had been played every year between 1915-2011 and 109 games total were played in a series that dated back to 1903. In the months after the Aggies left the Big 12, state lawmakers introduced a bill that would’ve compelled the two sides to resume the football series.
In early November of last year, amidst rumors that the rivalry could be renewed, an A&M spokesman put the kibosh on the talk, stating that "[w]e hope to play them again in a BCS or playoff game at some point.” In early March, new Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong stated he’d like to see the series played again, albeit at a neutral site.
For the time being, however, it doesn’t appear, sadly, that any of the key decision-makers on either side are interested in rekindling what once was one of the best rivalries in the sport.