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Chris Del Conte: The goal is to play Texas A&M every year

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•02/13/24•

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COLLEGE STATION, TX - NOVEMBER 24: Patrick Lewis #61 of the Texas A&M Aggies prepares to snap the ball against the Texas Longhorns in the second half of a game at Kyle Field on November 24, 2011 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Darren Carroll/Getty Images)

Nov. 30 is a date circled in both Austin and College Station, with the Texas–Texas A&M rivalry returning with the Longhorns joining the SEC. But for now, there is only one guarantee of the two bitter rivals facing off against each other. The SEC has not determined the scheduling model moving forward and may not have the game played on an annual basis.

Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte was asked about the future of the rivalry, wondering if it would be played every single year. His goal is to make sure it’s played every fall after a long stretch of not meeting on the gridiron. Del Conte even teased a portion of the 2025 schedule, saying the Aggies will come to Austin.

“That is the goal,” Del Conte said during Tuesday’s Town Hall. “I know we’re playing this year in their place then they’ll come back the following year.”

Prior to Texas A&M leaving the Big 12 for the SEC before the 2012 football season, they had played Texas every season since 1915. Sharing a conference throughout the timespan certainly helped, going back to the creation of the Southwest Conference.

However, both being members of the SEC may not be good enough to promise an annual football game. There is an option the conference is looking at, giving each member just one permanent opponent. Texas would certainly keep Oklahoma for the Red River Shootout in Dallas. Texas A&M would have a few options but LSU is thought to be the most likely.

If the SEC decided to expand to nine conference games, three permanent opponents is likely the route they would take. That would give both Texas and Texas A&M the option to play each other while preserving other important rivalries.

Based on Del Conte’s words, we have two Texas-Texas A&M matchups to enjoy. This upcoming year at Kyle Field should be incredibly intense, with neither program wanting to drop the first game of the renewed rivalry. Neither Steve Sarkisian nor Mike Elko have directly faced the other in burnt orange/maroon but will know the importance of winning Thanksgiving weekend.

Del Conte says a return matchup will occur during the 2025 season as well. Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium has not hosted the Aggies since 2010 — a game resulting in a loss for the home team.

As for what’s in store for 2026 and beyond, Del Conte wants to work toward playing every year.