Steve Sarkisian details what rivalry game vs. Texas A&M means for Texas

Steve Sarkisian will get his first taste of Texas vs. Texas A&M as a head coach. Boy, he’s in for a treat.

The game returns in 2024 as the regular season finale since Texas is now in the SEC. But there’s a lot on the line. The winner goes to the SEC Championship to take on Georgia.

For a team that had national title aspirations coming in, Sarkisian and the Longhorns need to focus on the task at hand.

“The game is the game,” Sarkisian said. “As far as what we are trying to accomplish, you know, to win that game, to get to the SEC championship game. But I’m not naive to know the rivalry is the rivalry, and what this game means to the entire state of Texas, you know, and households being divided Thanksgiving weekend. 

“I think it’s so cool that we’re playing this game again, and so, but the key to the drill, as I just told the team, it’s like, okay, we’re all excited. We all want to win next week. What are we doing today? Right now, when I get done speaking, to prepare for that? Because I think preparation is what leads to a positive performance. I think it’s great for college football, that this game with us and them is going to matter on a grander scale than just what’s happening in the state of Texas. But I also know how much it means to every household in the state of Texas, so it’s pretty cool to be part of. I’m really excited.”

Steve Sarkisian eager for Texas-Texas A&M showdown

The last meeting between Texas and Texas A&M was November 24, 2011, won by the Longhorns 27-25 in College Station.

The Longhorns lead the all-time series 76-37-5, dating back to 1894. Safe to say, Sarkisian is thrilled that this game is back for the first time in 13 years.

Texas A&M is coming off a brutal OT loss to Auburn this weekend, so they’ll want to turn things around and take out frustrations on their old, but new, rival.

Before Texas hits the road this coming weekend, Sarkisian was thankful for the home atmosphere in the win over Kentucky.

“First of all, tremendous atmosphere today,” he said. “Longhorn nation was amazing again, and I thought it was a great send off for our seniors, you know, to honor them before the game, and then to have this be in their lasting memory.

“And DKR was a special moment for a lot of those guys, and couldn’t be happier for them, and obviously the appreciation for them and what they’ve done for this program, and continue to do, as we stay on the mission that we’re on. As far as the ball game, I thought our defense had another tremendous game.”