Steve Sarkisian on Texas A&M rivalry, playing at Kyle Field: 'We'll be ready'

On Saturday, Texas and Texas A&M will square off for the first time since 2011. Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian is confident his team will be prepared for the massive matchup.

“We’ll be ready. I’m gonna leave it at that,” Sarkisian said on Monday. “I’m not a big get-out-of-routine guy. So our normal routine will be our routine. We’ll get in there Friday, and we’ll be ready to play Saturday.”

While Saturday will be the first time Sarkisian has led Texas against the Aggies, the rivalry is all too familiar for longtime fans. The two storied programs met every year between 1915 and 2011. However, the near 100-year streak ended when Texas A&M joined the SEC.

Now with the Longhorns also in the prestigious conference, the rivalry is back and it’s here to stay. Nonetheless, no amount of preparation can ready Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns for their introduction to the historic rivalry.

Through the years, the two teams have not only had wars on the football field but played mind games off it, as well. In 1917, Texas A&M fans kidnapped Bevo, the Longhorns’ live mascot, and branded him with “13-0,” referencing the score from the previous year’s game.

In 1948, a Texas fan struck back by attempting to light Texas A&M’s iconic bonfire early, dropping homemade bombs from a borrowed plane. Not to be outdone, Texas A&M students snuck into Memorial Stadium just two years later and planted oats on the field, which by game time visibly spell “A&M.”

These pranks may not be as common in the modern era but the emotions that fueled them are as prevalent as ever. Viewers can expect to see those emotions rise to the surface on Saturday night.

After all, there’s more than bragging rights riding on the outcome of the game. Texas is currently the favorite SEC team to receive a bye in the College Football Playoff. However, a loss to the Aggies could change the Longhorns’ postseason trajectory entirely.

On the other hand, Texas A&M is simply vying for a spot in the 12-team playoff. On Saturday, the Aggies suffered a stunning 43-41 loss to Auburn, their loss of the season. Without a win over Texas, the CFP selection committee won’t even give the Aggies a second look.

The two programs out of the Lone Star State will face off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. The game will air live on ABC.