“It's going to feel like an occasion” — Aggies HC Mike Elko gives his verdict as Texas A&M-Texas rivalry reignites in the SEC

Texas A&M coach Mike Elko recently shared his thoughts with ESPN’s Ryan McGee on reigniting the Texas A&M-Texas rivalry. When asked about facing Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns, Elko couldn’t hide his excitement.

This highly anticipated matchup is set for Nov. 30, and McGee asked Elko how he felt about the game taking its rightful place at the end of the season. Elko’s response was brimming with enthusiasm.

He mentioned how thrilled he is about Texas joining the same conference as A&M again and how the atmosphere is expected to be electric.

“It's going to look like, celebrity wise on both sidelines,” Coach Elko said. “All of the people that are going to try to experience that game... It's going to feel a little bit like an occasion and that's what you want right?”

Expand Tweet

Texas A&M and Longhorns rivalry will be reignited on Thanksgiving weekend.

“That's what makes college football so special…,” Elko said. “I'm glad they're coming back into our league. I'm glad that we get to play on Thanksgiving weekend. I'm glad that we get to settle it on the field. It's what college football should be.”

According to Coach Elko, two big brands such as Texas and Texas A&M should always be competing, not sitting on the sidelines.

Also Read: "That place is gonna be rowdy": Quinn Ewers vows to unleash true madness of iconic Texas vs Texas A&M rivalry after SEC induction

The Texas Longhorns outpaced their rivals, the Texas A&M Aggies, in ticket sales

Texas Longhorns football coach, Steve Sarkisian - Source: Imagn

The Texas Longhorns are making waves this season, with fans clamoring for tickets more than almost any other team. According to StubHub's 2024 College Football Preview, the Longhorns are the second-most in-demand team, right behind the Michigan Wolverines. Within Texas, they’ve outpaced their rivals, the Aggies, in ticket sales.

Not only that, but the Longhorns also earned a No. 4 spot on StubHub’s Top 10 Trending Teams list, a jump of six places ahead of the Aggies. Their upcoming faceoff with Aggies on Nov. 30 is already the fifth-most sought-after game on the platform, even though it's still months away.

And if fans are looking to catch the Longhorns at home, their showdown against the Georgia Bulldogs on Oct. 19 is the hottest ticket of the season. Prices for this game start at $375, with premium seats in the Touchdown Club going for nearly $10,000.

Which Texas Longhorns game are you most excited to watch this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!

About the author

Mohammad Asif Ansari is a journalist covering college football and basketball at Sportskeeda. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Technology and brings four years of experience as an NFL and EdTech writer.

While acknowledging the dominance of professional leagues like the NBA and NFL, Asif is drawn to the raw energy and unpredictability of college sports, particularly football and basketball.

Jalen Hurts stands out as Asif's all-time favorite college player, celebrated for his remarkable success on the football field and impressive leadership skills.

In his reporting, Asif seeks to capture the essence of college athletics, delving into the human stories behind the game. From the trials and triumphs of student-athletes to the strategic genius of coaches like Nick Saban, he strives to paint a vivid picture of the college sports landscape.

Asif ensures that his reporting is both informative and ethically sound, meticulously verifying sources and facts to provide readers with reliable and trustworthy content.

When not writing, Asif practices basic MMA, hones his biking skills and expands his language proficiency in Urdu and Arabic.

Know More

Who's NEXT on the HOT SEAT? Check out the 7 teams that desperately need a coaching change

Edited by Glen Danquah