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Win percentages tell real story of last decade's hierarchy in Lone Star State

Texas A&M's rivalry with Texas has been marked by a lack of games over the last decade, but it looks like there's a definite winner in that time.
ByGraham Harmon|
Nov 11, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Jaylen Henderson (16) runs the ball during the second half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Nov 11, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Jaylen Henderson (16) runs the ball during the second half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Texas A&M athletics have often been the butt of jokes over the last decade or so, but it's hard to deny that they've been an extremely relevant athletic department during that time. The Aggies haven't always had the strongest finishes in football, but they're a team that is often in some of the biggest games in the college football landscape.

It's been the same with basketball, despite some dark times. I think of two games against the Alabama Crimson Tide that exemplify this reality: the football team's game against them in 2021, which was obviously a massive win over the then-number-one team and eventual national runner-up against the Georgia Bulldogs, and the basketball team's showdown against them the following spring.

That was the Aggies' first-ever win against a no. 2-ranked team in basketball, and they nearly pulled it off again in the SEC Tournament to win a conference championship. That was one of several chances that the Ags had in the tournament finals, as they made a lot of noise in Nashville in Buzz Williams' tenure.

Things are looking up for both programs right now with the departure of Buzz Williams and Jimbo Fisher and the advent of Mike Elko and Bucky McMillan. That said, moving up in estimation from those two eras could certainly put them in the front seat when it comes to the Lone Star State.

Win percentages tell story of past decade in Texas-A&M rivalry

The Aggies are two spots ahead of the Texas Longhorns in win percentage, combined between football and basketball over the past ten years. While they're not in the top echelon by any means, I think that this is notable given the recent hot streak that Texas has been on in football and the discourse around the two programs.

If things continue to point upwards for the Aggies as Texas comes down off of their recent high point, then this distance could grow even more. A&M needs to be better, but it's notable that they're in this position relative to a rival with the self-concept that Texas has.

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