5 reasons Texas A&M football will far outperform the Longhorns in 2024
Why Texas A&M football will outshine their in-state rivals in first season with both in SEC
This season is of huge importance for both Texas A&M football and the rival Longhorns. For the latter, 2024 will be a proof-of-concept season after making the College Football Playoff in 2023.
They stand to show that such a result wasn’t a fluke, and Steve Sarkisian will make a run at establishing himself among the ranks of the elite in college football coaching. All this, and they have to show that all the hemming and hawing about relative conference strength that has taken place over the last 12 years was all for naught.
Texas A&M football also faces a huge challenge—and a huge opportunity. After the failure to reach their ultimate goal during the tenure of Jimbo Fisher, the Ags are hoping to capitalize on the formidable talent still left in the program even after Fisher’s departure. The Maroon and White faithful feel as though they have the man for the job in former DC Mike Elko, who made an instant impact in College Station on defense when he arrived, and an instant impact in Durham as the Duke head coach.
He has built a talented staff, worked the portal, and filled roster holes ahead of spring ball. This is the easiest Aggie schedule in some time, and they hope to take advantage of all four of their biggest games being within the friendly confines of Kyle Field.
Of course, each program is also facing down the prospect of the renewed rivalry once again playing out on the gridiron. Longhorn fans are hoping to pick up where they left off, with the dominance of the 2010s still fresh in their minds. Texas A&M football fans remember the late 80s through the 90s, when they were able to rack up wins under the last defensive-minded head coach they have had before the current man.
So, who stands to come out on top here? Who will take the first step towards establishing dominance in the rivalry and in the conference, with Bama now looking like they will take a step back? My contention is that it will be the Aggies. Here are five reasons why Texas A&M football will begin to dominate the Longhorns going forward.