When Texas A&M left Texas and the Big 12 for the SEC, few expected the Aggies to get the upper hand in the terminated relationship so soon. But Texas A&M made an instant impact in the powerful SEC and saw Johnny Manziel spring to a Heisman Trophy as the Aggies elevated up the ranks of college football powers. At the same time Texas has failed to be a top contender in the Big 12 and braces for what could be another ugly Red River Rivalry if they are not careful against Oklahoma. On Texas A&M’s way up that ladder of college football superiority, they may have passed the Longhorns. At least, that is the concern of some officials representing the University of Texas.
According to a report by Dallas Morning News, the recent success enjoyed by Texas A&M since moving to the SEC has high-ranking members paranoid.
“What they are concerned about is not just a football season or a football team,” the source said to Dallas Morning News. “What they’re concerned about is that we’re going to lose this kind-of war to A&M. They are really paranoid about A&M.”
As the report suggests, this goes beyond the football field. Texas A&M has reported a record enrollment that has certainly caught the eyes in Austin. The Aggies are also planning on renovations to Kyle Field that will increase the total capacity, and thus add to the Texas A&M coffers through ticket sales, concessions, advertising revenue and more. things are going well at Texas A&M and it has Texas genuinely concerned about the future and direction of their own program.
Of course, Texas is still well off when it comes to finances. That is not likely to change any time soon, but as Texas A&M continues to grow and thrive, it could start cutting in to the funds usually expected to be addressed for the Longhorns. Having the right leadership in place at Texas will be the focus, but any candidate for the job of athletics director will likely have to be counted on to unveil any plans to get Texas football back on top of the Big 12 and contending on a national stage moving in to the College Football Playoff.
Texas A&M has caught the eyes of Texas, and they captured it through success in football first. If Texas is going to ease the paranoia among university leaders, and donors, then it must strike back through football.