Who is University of Texas biggest rival?

By Jason Bolton May 20, 2023 11:49

Photo by Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

In college football, rivalries don't get much fiercer or more notorious than the University of Texas Longhorns and their arch-nemesis, the famed ーUniversity of Oklahoma Sooners. The two teams have been playing on the gridiron for more than 100 years, and their traditional showdown, the Red River Showdown, is one of college football's most spirited contests each season.

However, as traditional powerhouses in a conference together with one another can do, Texas and Oklahoma were far from the only teams hoping to secure top billing of the Big 12 Conference at this early juncture. The Texas A&M Aggies are possibly the team that is even more hated and reviled than the Sooners for The University of Texas.

Their first match in the football field in 1894 marked the birth of the two team's rivalry. Over the past years, this rivalry has grown bigger and more intense with each and every matchup pitting both teams against one another for Lone Star supremacy.

Why is the Texas-Texas rivalry so intense? First and foremost, both schools are the biggest in Texas — with histories of athletic prowess. The University of Texas alone boasts four national championships, with many All-Americans and NFL players. Texas A&M, meanwhile, boasts three national championships and a proud history of military service and excellence.

But more than anything, Longhorns and Aggies take collective pride in the histories that have made their schools distinct. The University of Texas, for instance, is best known for its academically rigorous programs and dedication to public service. The campus is also a cultural institution, with the Tower and Bevo holding iconic status as symbols of UT spirit and pride.

In Texas A&M, on the other hand, is known for its interest in military history and tradition. In addition, A&M boasts a rare group of traditions, including the 12th Man and Midnight Yell, that help with Aggie pride in the institution.

The rivalry between the two teams has been flaming because of the stake of Lone Star pride that the they square off annually on Thanksgiving Day in the Lone Star Showdown. It is one of the most anticipated games in recent memory and both fan bases would love nothing more than to watch their teams be declared victorious.

Because as fierce of a rivalry that exists between the Longhorns and Aggies is one born out of respect, not natural enmity. The respect between the two schools runs deep and their rivalry represents an opportunity to glorify each other's triumphs, as well as honor resilience in both ways.

Ultimately, the rivalry between the University of Texas Longhorns and the Texas A&M Aggies is representative simply by nod to that craze and fanaticism which caused a lot of people towards university sports, specifically with its roots deep inside the American South. There are several reasons for this: the fierce battles, the rich traditions, and, simply put — college football is one of (if not) THE most exciting sports in all of sports.

If you are a fan of the Longhorns or the Aggies then don't miss their next Lone Star Showdown and get to experience it all! And who knows? That could turn you into a fan forever.