In 2025, the storied rivalry between the Texas Longhorns and the Texas A&M Aggies will formally return to its customary post-Thanksgiving time slot, giving college football fans around the Lone Star State cause for celebration.

For decades, the state of Texas came to a halt every Thanksgiving weekend for one reason: the Texas Longhorns and the Texas A&M Aggies clashing in a football rivalry soaked in tradition, passion, and pride. After a 13-year hiatus, that rivalry is returning to its rightful place on the calendar.

In 2025, the Lone Star Showdown is officially back on Thanksgiving weekend. And for the first time since 2011, fans on both sides of the bitter divide have something to truly be thankful for.

The upcoming matchup between Texas and Texas A&M is more than just a football game. It’s a cultural event that has shaped the identity of college football in Texas for more than a century. First played in 1894, the series became a staple of Thanksgiving festivities in the state, often determining conference bragging rights, bowl game implications, and more importantly, which fan base would get to crow all winter long.

When Texas A&M left the Big 12 for the SEC in 2012, the annual game was unceremoniously dropped. The rivalry that had once been considered one of the fiercest and most meaningful in college football disappeared from the schedule. Fans mourned its absence, while both schools went in different directions competitively and culturally.

Now, with Texas joining the SEC in 2024, the stage is set for the rebirth of one of college football’s most iconic showdowns—and the SEC wasted no time restoring it to the time slot that made it legendary.

For generations of Texans, Thanksgiving weekend wasn’t complete without the burnt orange of Texas and the maroon of Texas A&M colliding in a sea of hostility and respect. Grandparents, parents, and children all gathered around televisions or packed into stadiums to witness a game that always seemed to mean more, no matter the standings.

Restoring the game to that weekend feels like reclaiming a piece of Texas history.

“There are few traditions in college football as strong as Texas vs. Texas A&M on Thanksgiving weekend,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “Bringing it back to this time slot was a no-brainer for the conference and the fans.”

In a sport that continues to change rapidly with conference realignments, NIL deals, and playoff expansions, reviving a lost tradition offers something comforting and familiar.

This isn’t just about nostalgia. The 2025 version of the rivalry will feature modern stakes that match the intensity of the old ones. Both Texas and Texas A&M are expected to be formidable SEC programs by the time the game rolls around, and playoff hopes could hang in the balance.

Texas, under second-year head coach Steve Sarkisian in the SEC, continues to build a powerhouse capable of competing with Alabama and Georgia. Their 2023 and 2024 recruiting classes rank among the best in the nation, and star quarterback Arch Manning will be in his junior season in 2025, possibly his final year before heading to the NFL.

Meanwhile, A&M has revitalized its program under Mike Elko. After the departure of Jimbo Fisher, Elko brought defensive intensity, a no-nonsense culture, and a clear vision for success. His ability to keep in-state talent from migrating to Austin or out of state has helped the Aggies reload quickly.

This means the 2025 game will have national relevance, not just historical sentiment.

Beyond the implications for playoffs or recruiting, this rivalry is deeply personal for fans, alumni, and current students. Households across Texas are divided. Marriages are tested. Friendships are temporarily put on hold.

“I grew up watching the game every Thanksgiving with my family,” said former Longhorn linebacker Derrick Johnson. “It was more than a game—it was part of who we were. I’m thrilled it’s back where it belongs.”

Aggie legend Dat Nguyen echoed similar feelings.

“There’s nothing like stepping onto the field and knowing the whole state is watching,” Nguyen said. “You represent your school, your classmates, and your city. That’s what makes it special.”

The passion surrounding this rivalry goes far beyond the football field. From pranks and fight songs to bonfires and chants, the game encapsulates everything that’s great—and occasionally outrageous—about college football.

As of their last meeting in 2011, Texas holds a slight edge in the all-time series with a record of 76-37-5. The rivalry has seen dramatic finishes, legendary performances, and even moments of controversy.

Notable past games include:

• 1998: Ricky Williams broke the NCAA all-time rushing record on a long touchdown run against A&M in Austin.
• 1999: Just days after the tragic collapse of the Aggie bonfire, the two teams met in an emotional contest that transcended sport.
• 2011: In the last game before the hiatus, Justin Tucker kicked a game-winning field goal for Texas as time expired, silencing Kyle Field.

Now, after more than a decade away, the stage is set for new heroes and new moments to be written into the rivalry’s lore.

The SEC’s decision to schedule the Texas-Texas A&M game on Thanksgiving weekend wasn’t merely a nod to tradition—it was also a masterstroke in strategic programming.

The SEC is now home to the most compelling end-of-season rivalries in college football, from Alabama-Auburn’s Iron Bowl to the Egg Bowl between Mississippi State and Ole Miss. Adding Texas vs. Texas A&M to Thanksgiving weekend only deepens the conference’s chokehold on that weekend’s television ratings.

Network partners are reportedly ecstatic. ESPN and ABC are expected to feature the game in a primetime slot, giving it national exposure and setting it up as one of the weekend’s marquee matchups.

“This is box-office football,” said a TV executive familiar with the planning. “You’ve got tradition, drama, elite players, and passionate fan bases. It’s the kind of game networks dream about.”

As much as this is about football, the Texas-Texas A&M rivalry has always been a microcosm of the broader cultural divide in the state.

Texas is often viewed as the flagship school, with its Austin-based, liberal-leaning identity, massive alumni network, and historical football dominance. Texas A&M, by contrast, is rooted in military tradition, agriculture, and a conservative, tight-knit culture centered around College Station.

The two fan bases don’t just disagree on football—they see the world through different lenses. That contrast adds fuel to a rivalry that already burns white-hot.

In many ways, the return of the rivalry isn’t just a sports story—it’s a Texas story.

In Austin and College Station, anticipation is already building.

Student organizations are planning watch parties, tailgates, and pep rallies months in advance. Alumni associations are coordinating travel and special events. Local businesses are bracing for a tourism boom as fans flock to the host city, wherever the game is held.

One University of Texas student captured the sentiment well: “I’ve never seen us play A&M, but I’ve heard stories all my life. It feels like getting a part of my heritage back.”

Aggie students, too, are hyped. “We don’t like them. They don’t like us. That’s what makes it beautiful,” one senior declared. “We’re ready.”

While the 2025 game is the official return, the SEC has committed to making this a recurring feature on its schedule. Barring any unforeseen changes, Texas and Texas A&M are expected to meet every year going forward, with the matchup continuing to anchor Thanksgiving weekend.

That kind of consistency helps the rivalry regain its place in the college football ecosystem. With recruiting battles heating up and both programs investing heavily in facilities, NIL, and coaching, the stakes will only get higher in the years to come.

The Longhorns and Aggies are not just playing for pride—they’re battling for the soul of Texas football in the new SEC landscape.

The return of the Texas-Texas A&M rivalry to its rightful Thanksgiving weekend slot is more than a scheduling decision—it’s a restoration of Texas tradition. It’s a tribute to history, a gift to fans, and a tantalizing new chapter in a saga that never really ended.

College football is at its best when it honors its roots while embracing its future. The 2025 Lone Star Showdown promises to do just that—and millions will be watching when the Aggies and Longhorns take the field once again.